Dean Neal

Arlen Dean Neal

New Gloucester – Dean Neal was called to our Lord on December 4th in New Gloucester, Maine, after a lingering illness with his loving wife Clara by his side. Dean was born on July 3, 1934 in Milo, Maine to Arthur and Rebecca (Haskell) Neal.  Dean was a 1953 graduate of Howland High School in Howland Maine, where he was a star baseball player, Class President, and active in a number of school activities.  He served in the US Army from 1955-1957 with the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper with over twenty jumps.  Following his time in the Army, he returned to Maine and met Elizabeth “Betty” McGaw and married in 1958.  The union welcomed three children, Kermit, Melanie, and Kyle. Dean was well known in every community he resided and worked in.  He was well known on campus at Husson College, where he graduated in 1962 and started work with Sears Roebuck. His potential, business acumen, and outgoing personality was recognized as he started moving up the corporate ladder in Sears.  Wishing to return to Maine, in 1968 he transitioned to insurance as Vice President of Neal Associates in Lincoln, Maine, and President of Neal Associates in Bangor, Maine.  Following separation from Betty in 1981, Dean moved to New Gloucester, where he met and married the love of his life, Clara (Fickett-Chase).  Dean grew very close to Clara’s sons Tom and Wayne, and through his union with Clara his family grew to five children, thirteen grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren!  He loved to talk about all of his family, and was particularly happy that all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were loved, successful, and well taken care of.  Dean became well-known in New Gloucester and was a charter member of the Gray-New Gloucester Lions Club, spearheading their donation campaign with local merchants for many years and being recognized for his service to others by being named a Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellow.  He also  started and led a Men’s Prayer Breakfast (the “Big Boys Breakfast”) with numerous friends in the area.  His passion in later years, aside from Clara and his extended family was golf!  He was part of the original staff of Spring Meadows Golf Course in Gray, and with his gregarious nature he loved working in the clubhouse and talking to anyone! Dean is survived by his wife of over 36 years, Clara, and his children and step-children, Colonel Kermit Neal (USAF) retired (Kimberly) of Colorado, Melanie (Neal) Woodward (Brian) of Bangor, Master Sergeant (USAF) retired Kyle Neal (Beth) of Nevada, Tom Chase (Carrie) of New Gloucester, Wayne Chase (Karen) of Turner, grandchildren Molly McCrum (Brandon) of New Hampshire, Michael Perry (Libby) of Bangor, First Lieutenant Kaleb Neal (Emily) of Illinois, Kobe Neal of Colorado, Chloe Woodward (Dylan) of Augusta, Erinn Neal of Nevada, Dylan Chase (Artur) of Fryeburg, Emily Andrews (Nate) of Rochester New Hampshire, Abigail Perry (Josh) of Littleton New Hampshire, Ashley Lavigne (Dylan) of Winslow, and Marissa Birkmose (Nick) of New Gloucester.  In addition to fifteen great-grandchildren, Dean is also survived by his brother, Warren Neal (Richard) of Ohio, sister-in-law Eva McGaw of West Enfield, and numerous nieces, nephews, and long-time companions and friends throughout the state of Maine.  Along with his parents, Dean was predeceased by his former spouse Elizabeth “Betty” Neal, two brothers - Bobby and Clarence, niece Rebecca Sylvia, nephew Robert, grandchildren Jordan and Tara, one great grandchild, Elijah. Graveside services will be held in the  Summer of 2026. In lieu of flowers, be on the lookout for a golf tournament to benefit the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. We would also like to give our appreciation to Jason at Wilson Funeral Home for his generosity, support, and assistance in our time of loss.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dean Neal, please visit our floral store.