Neal L. Hawes Obituary (1925 - 2017)

Neal Leonard Hawes 1925-2017 Winslow - Neal Leonard Hawes, 92, of Winslow passed away September 14, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Winslow on January 17, 1925 to Royal and Letitia (Wing) Hawes. Neal was a lifelong resident of Winslow and graduated from Winslow High School in 1943. He was an ardent Black Raiders fan so much so that the basketball boosters awarded both him and his brother Roy certificates of appreciation for being a “Fan of the Century”. They attended many Winslow sporting events together. If a game with a ball was going on in town, chances are you would find the Hawes boys there. On June 19, 1948 Neal married the love of his life Antoinette (Toni) Bolduc. They were married for 69 years and raised six children. Neal loved farming. He spent over 20 years working on the Corbett brothers’ farm in Winslow. Even after getting a job as a milkman at Smiley’s, he continued to work on a couple of local farms for many years. He also worked for the Winslow School Department and the Doctors’ Complex before retiring in 1998. Neal spent many years as a behind the scenes worker at the Winslow Congregational Church. He was not much of a joiner but was always willing to give a helping hand when necessary. Whenever Toni was working for the church, you would find Neal working right beside her whether it was preparing communion, serving the Fellowship Hour’s goodies and coffee, working on the Blueberry Festival or just being helpful in general. He was a very generous man and gave of his time freely. Neal loved spending time with his family. They had many family picnics in the pouring rain at St. George’s Lake! It was soggy but more fun than you can imagine! The whole family also went to the Skowhegan Fair every summer for many years. He spent many quality hours with his grandchildren. In his later years he loved spending time with his little Papillion dog Sammie. They used to walk together all over the neighborhood. It was fortunate they both wanted to give up walking at the same time! He is survived by his wife of 69 years Toni Hawes; son Rick Hawes and his wife Jan; daughter Cathy Cloutier and her husband Mike; daughter Pat St. Onge and her husband Andy; son John Hawes and his wife Michele; daughter Peg Peters and her husband Jeff; daughter Ellen Anderson and her companion Randy Wilson; his six grandchildren: Shon Hawes, Danielle Laverriere, Heather LeClair, Damian LeClair, Jason Peters, and Nicole Mediouni; his brother Roy Hawes; Neal also had several great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother Arthur “Buddy” Hawes. The family would like to express its thanks and appreciation to Maine General Hospital for all the excellent care and compassion he received during his final illness. A memorial service to celebrate Neal’s life will be held on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow, ME. Burial will be that afternoon in Howard Cemetery, Augusta Road, Winslow at 1:30 pm. Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Neal’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow St,, Winslow, ME 04901 or the Waterville Humane Society, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901. ********************************************