A. Maurice Neal Obituary (1927 - 2020)

DEXTER - Arthur Maurice Neal, 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 11, 2020 at a local health care facility. He was born in St. Albans, July 27, 1927 to Robert and Annie (Gallagher) Neal and lived his boyhood years in Ripley. Following his graduation from N. H. Fay High School in Dexter, Maurice joined the U. S. Navy and was proud to have served in WWII, and was recalled during the Korean Conflict. After the war he became a funeral director for the Crosby & Neal Funeral Homes and worked as well at the Dexter Western Auto Store. After leaving the funeral business, Maurice and his wife, Corinne, moved west where he served as lay pastor in three churches in Idaho and Washington States. While in Washington State he became involved with Habitat for Humanity and organized the building of many new houses. He was recognized by former President Jimmy Carter for his work. Also during this time he took several work groups to Nicaragua where his daughter, Sheila Heneise, and husband, Steve, served as missionaries. Returning to Dexter in the early 90s, he worked for the Town of Dexter as sexton of the town's cemeteries while continuing to serve as a lay pastor in several Baptist churches in the State. Maurice was active in the Dexter Kiwanis, served twice as President, was Lt. Governor and received the 25 year Legion of Honor. He was also a 50 year member of the Penobscot Masonic Lodge #39 in Dexter and Past President of the Maine Funeral Directors Association. Maurice is survived by his wife of 72 years, Corinne (Crosby) Neal; his four children, Sheila Heneise and husband, Steve of Dexter, Peter Neal and wife, Laura, of Bangor, Nina Speed and husband, David of Carmel, and Wanda Weymouth and husband, Gerald of Abbot; 12 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; his brother, Clayton Neal of Bridgton; and his sister, Gladys Packard and husband, Arthur of Cambridge; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Sheldon Neal and George Greaves. The family will be gathering for a funeral service at the First Baptist Church in Dexter, Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Andrew Bermudez officiating. The general public is invited to join the family at a graveside service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Dexter at 11:30 A.M. Donations in Maurice's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Dexter, P. O. Box 573, Dexter, ME 04930. The family wishes to thank Dr. Darin Peck and the staff of Dexter Health Care for their compassion and excellent care of Maurice during his time as a resident. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Dexter.