Kevin E. Neal

Kevin E. Neal September 7, 1963- June 7, 2023

It is with deep sadness and much love that we mourn the passing of Kevin E. Neal of Cape Neddick, Maine on June 7, 2023 from heart failure at the age of 59 years.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 28 years Laura, and daughters Celina of Richmond, VA and Kersey of Brooklyn, NY. Sister Gemetta Neal-Goulet and her family of Manchester, CT., and numerous close friends and relatives. His many Bigelow cousins were close with him growing up.

Cousin Sharon describes Kevin as “one of the most positive people she has ever known” and how he took his self described title as “super dad” very seriously and proudly. Born in New London, CT raised in Norwich, CT attending both Norwich Tech and St. Bernards High School where his Basketball talent flourished as member of the Class L State Basketball Championship Team in 1981. He took a Post Graduate year at Worcester Academy where he was an important member of the Class A New England Prep School Championship Basketball team in 1982. Making lifelong friends along the way.

His musical skills and talent and work ethic were molded in the many years he participated in several area Drum and Bugle Corps as part of the drum line. He loved sharing stories of the DCI trips, how they influenced him and his love of traveling to all corners of the US and Canada. He attended and graduated from UCONN in 1987, DJing at ‘Huskies’, playing intramural basketball, and coaching the school marching band.

He met his wife Laura in 1989 and married in Mystic, CT in 1995. As Retail Manager he explored opportunities throughout the Northeast making connections and showing his kind leadership, intelligent business mind, and flare for fashion along the way. He was a mentor to many, loved his family fiercely and loved to laugh. His Mother-in-law Jeannine says “Kevin was a devoted husband and father. It was all about ‘Team Neal’...he was a very loving man”. His charisma made him a stand out wherever he went and he always took time to connect with people, whether at the corner store, or with his many staff members who he shared sports stories, jokes, or “Kevinisms” that folks will remember to this day.

His sister and brother in law Christine and Jay Lentz remember Kevin as hard-working. “He worked hard at his job, his marriage, as a father, and as a friend. When I think of Kevin I think about his confidence and focus and how contagious they were. He knew he didn't need to know it all or do it all, he just needed to know who did and who could.” The last few years he has experienced many medical challenges and through it all has shown his positive outlook, vulnerability, willingness to grow, and inner strength and bravery.

His very good friend Brian Cartier says of Kevin, “Kevin Neal was a great man. The kind of husband, father, and friend that we should all strive to be. He was a leader and a mentor that could see potential in people and would go to great lengths to help them realize that potential; always there to uplift those he cared about, somehow always knowing the right words to say. Kevin had a child-like enthusiasm that was infectious, playful, loving, and kind. A wonderful and amazing human who made a massive impact on the people who were lucky enough to know him and through this impact he will be immortal. He will always be with us, although he will always be missed.”

A celebration of life will be held at his home in Maine  on Saturday, September 9th, 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree, or donating to your preferred charity in his name.

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