U.S. Army Veteran, local real estate agent
NORTH READING — Richard J. “Dick” Neal, Sr., 79, of East Falmouth, formerly of North Reading and Arlington, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014 at the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford.
Born in Cambridge on Aug. 8, 1935, he was the son of the late Waldo A. and Louise K. (Weeber) Neal. He was predeceased by his brother, Roger W. Neal (who was married to Marie (McCarthy) Neal). He was the loving husband of 56 years to Janet L. (MacMillan) Neal; the loving father of Richard J. Neal Jr., DMD and his wife Eileen, Wolfeboro Falls, N.H.; Geoffrey D. Neal, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Robert A. Neal, of Rochester, N.H. 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; and 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, Raytheon and Siemans as a Human Resource Department Manager. He later worked as a local Real Estate Agent. He was a member of the North Reading Rotary Club and served as president, spending many nights at the all night parties that he helped put it together for seniors at North Reading High School. He volunteered at WGBH 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 at Cape Cod. The beaches were a place he took his kids and taught them to swim. He loved the Daytona Beach Shores in Florida. 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 Giants as his top favorite sport teams. Richard loved being a husband, father and grandfather and great–grandfather. He loved his cats and dogs as if they were his children.
During Easter Sunday, Richard would sing with the choir, his most favorite hymn was Handel’s 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 was held at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St., North Reading on Friday, Dec. 19. Arrangements were by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading.
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 St., North Reading MA 01864.
