Irving Jeffrey Neal

RAYMOND - Irving (Jeff) Neal, 76, passed at his residence on January 22, 2018 following a brief illness. He was born in Portland on December 27, 1941 a son of John O. and Ida (Pelletier) Neal. He graduated from Portland High School in 1960 where he excelled in swimming both at Portland High School and the Portland Boys Club.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1960 and served as a Petty Officer Second Class. During that time he traveled throughout the world including Turkey, Spain, Italy, France and Norway; Lastly serving on the icebreaker U.S.S. ATKA (AGB-3) in Greenland. After his first Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he married Stella Roy on May 22, 1965. In 1966, hours before his first enlistment was to end, he was reinstated to teach shipboard armament in South Portland during the Vietnam War, earning him a second Honorable Discharge.

For the next 5 years he continued his education in plumbing/steamfitting at SMCC in South Portland. He began working as a plumber locally and out of state for the former Local 217 which later became Local 716. He earned his Propane & Natural Gas Technician's License at the age of 61.

In 1972, he and Stella purchased a home in Raymond on Sebago Lake where they raised their family. At the age of 40, he learned how to ski at Sugarloaf, a place where he and his family spent many February vacations. He loved to cook and always made Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. He had many pets throughout his life and especially enjoyed his Labrador Retrievers.

He is predeceased by a brother, John Steven Neal.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Stella, children, Joel Neal of Windham, Jason Neal of Waltham, MA, and Juliane Richards and her husband Michael of Windham; grandchildren, John Thomas Neal, Paige Richards, Derrike Richards, James Irving O'Keefe-Neal; sisters, Vivian Jean Adams of Nashua, NH, Veleria Connor and her husband Ken of Sudbury, MA. He is also survived by four nieces and many cousins.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, May 14, 2018 at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal St. Portland followed by a time of fellowship and reception at St. Peter's parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association, 122 State Street, Augusta ME 04330.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Jeff's online guest book.