McNeal, Wilfred C., 69, January 7, 2013. Arrangements by Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, Caribou.
NEW SWEDEN – Wilfred Carol McNeal died peacefully in his sleep January 7, 2013, due to complications from heart disease and diabetes. He was born to Charles Addington McNeal and Martha Josephine McNeal (Haney) on March 9, 1943. He was the second of 10 children. He married young to Marguerite Marie Basque in 1959 and quickly began his own large family of seven girls in just 10 years.
Working on his own father’s farm as a boy, he developed a strong work ethic that stayed with him until he retired. Farming was his lifelong occupation, working for many years for Warren Anderson, leading up to his retirement with Sven Bondeson. Not much of a talker normally, he came to life when telling stories. Working in the potato fields with a variety of people supplied him with scores of experiences that he enjoyed relating to his family around the dinner table. He loved to imitate the people he spoke of, and each story was punctuated by laughs and a great punch line. He always provided solid, practical advice to his young daughters, and passed on a positive outlook on life that was a true gift to them.
He enjoyed fishing when younger, and later on enjoyed crossword puzzles, Sudoku, watching old movies and the Red Sox play ball. One important legacy he left to his daughters was to teach every one of them to play cribbage. He was a hard man to beat, but when it happened, you could tell he was too proud to feel hurt for very long! Known for speaking well of others and always looking at the bright side, he was well-liked by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed where he lived and by his family and friends.
Wilfred is survived by his seven daughters: Elizabeth Johnson and husband, Ray, Donna McNeal and son, Daniel Will, Robin Rood and husband, Aaron, Sherry Elliott and husband, Joseph, Anita McCabe and husband, Jesse and their daughter, Albany Iris, Jo Ann Goodall and Carol-Ann McNeal. He is also survived by his siblings, Mavis Marsh, Carolyn Wilcox and husband, Edward, Thelma Powers and husband, Charlie, Robert and his wife, Cheryl, David and his wife, Theresa, and Deborah McNeal. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, three siblings, Charles Sheldon, Wilson Gary, and Melvin Lloyd; and his ex-wife, Marguerite.
Visitation was held on Sat., January 12, at 2-3 p.m. at Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St., Caribou, with a Memorial Service following at 3 p.m., Jesse McCabe officiating. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.lancastermorgan.com.
