Obituary: Richard J. 'Dick' Neal, Sr., 79, East Falmouth Resident

Obituary from the Croswell Funeral Home:

Richard J. ”Dick” Neal, Sr., 79, of East Falmouth, formerly of North Reading and Arlington, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014 at the E.N. Roger Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford.

He was the son of the late Waldo A. and Louise K. (Weeber) Neal, predeceased by his brother, Roger W. Neal (who he was married to Marie McCarthy) Neal. He was the loving husband of 56 years to Janet L. (MacMillan) Neal; loving father of Richard J. Neal, Jr., DMD and his wife Eileen, Wolfeboro Falls, NH, Geoffrey D. Neal, New Smyrna Beach, FL, Robert A. Neal, Rochester, NH and his daughter, Patricia A. Neal, North Reading. He was the cherished grandfather of nine, Allison Graham and her husband Scott., Victoria Neal, Andrea Neal, Richard Neal III, Catherine Neal, Sarah Neal, Crystal Jackson and husband Mathew, Rachel Wood, and John Wood; one great- grandchild, Owen Lucas Jackson.

Richard was a graduate of Arlington High School, Class of 1953, and he wrote the class song. He was also a graduate of Tufts University. He was a U.S. Army veteran; he served from 1957 to 1960.

Richard worked at a Liberty Mutual Insurance Agency and Raytheon and Siemansas a Human Resource Department Manager. He later worked as a local Real Estate Agent. He was a Rotary member for years and spent many nights at the all-night parties that he helped put it together for seniors at North Reading High School. He volunteered at GBH TV answering phone calls for donations.

Richard was a former member of the North Reading Auxiliary Police. He was avid lover of music especially, opera and classical. He played sax and clarinet and played the piano by ear. He would play piano for the elderly housing at Christmas time and many family parties.

He loved the ocean, especially the North Atlantic Ocean on Cape Cod. The beaches were a place he took his kids and taught them to swim . He loved Daytona Beach Shores in Florida, which he also enjoyed golfing. Richard enjoyed planting a vegetable garden and giving out the veggies to loved ones and friends. He loved the Braves and Patriots as his top favorite sport teams. Richard loved being a husband, father, and grandfather and great grandfather. He loved his cats and dogs, if as they were his children.

During Easter Sunday, Richard would sing with the choir, his most favorite hymn wasHandels Messiah, joining the choir at end of the service. His devotion to his family was unparalleled.

Richard loved Christmas time and shopping for Christmas gifts. He enjoyed rides with the family on Sundays around New England and taking the family to Richardson’s Ice Cream.

He will be greatly missed by all.

His funeral will be held at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St., North Reading, on Friday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to: E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, MA, 01730, c/o, Voluntary Services, Hospice Wing or to the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, MA 01864.