Alton H. Neal

Alton H. Neal – 1931-2024

On Friday, November 29, sleeping peacefully in his bed at home with his daughter and sister by his side Alton left behind the world of wheelchairs and walkers and pain in order to be free.

He was born to Kenneth and Elizabeth Alton Neal in Cold Springs, NY, and in 1936 the family moved to Florence, MA.  He attended Northampton schools and graduated high school in 1949.

While attending the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, he met the love of his life, Joyce Price.  They married in 1952 and moved to Lee where he worked as a herdsman at the Highlawn Farm.  They later moved to Northampton for Joyce’s teaching career, and Alton worked at many jobs while he attended school and studied for a career in insurance.  He loved his work as a field agent, working with many local farmers and artisans in the Sunderland/Deerfield area. 

Always active in his community, Al was a member of the Northampton Jaycees, the Rotary and the Kiwanis Club.  When his children became active in Scouting and 4-H, he was right there as a troop leader, and avid supporter.  He was an active leader in local politics, and was instrumental in making Northampton politics non-partisan.  He was very proud to have been a ”5 Gallon Donor” at the local Blood Bank.  The policy in their home was that all were welcome, all would be fed and cared for.  Exchange students, college students, their children’s friends who needed a soft landing all knew that both doors and arms were always open.

After retirement from the insurance field, he spent a few months puttering in his yard, volunteering at his church and at Lilly Library, where Joyce was director.  Then, at the gentle but firm insistence of his wife, he was encouraged to find something to do that was not underfoot.  Therefore, at the age of 65, he started work as a candle maker at Yankee Candle.  Always fascinated by gears and machinery, he delighted in the details of the manufacturing process which he shared with his family far more than they necessarily cared about. 

He lost his beloved Joyce in 2001, and the depths of his sorrow was immeasurable.  His daughter and her husband did the only thing possible.  They got him a dog; a big, fluffy white Great Pyrenees, named Callie. She was a dog to take for hikes in the woods, and to sit and pet in the evenings.  For 13 years, she was by his side, and gave him the motivation to keep going.  He became known all around Florence as “the Man with the Big White Dog”, a title he wore with pride.  But dogs’ lives are too short, and when Callie finally had to leave his side, his daughter and her husband did the only thing they could and found him another rescue Pyr.  Abbie too took her job as a life preserver very seriously and was devoted to him.  In due time, she was replaced by Obie, the third big white dog who also loved him completely.

Time continued to catch up with him, and while his mind was sharp and engaged, his body began to object.  Holyoke Hospice was instrumental in his care for the past year and helped ease his physical pain.  However, he still missed his beloved Joyce, and spoke often of being with her again.  Her picture sat at his bedside, and he said goodnight to her every night.   He left us to go gently to the other side where we know his Joyce was waiting for him with open arms.

Predeceased by his wife and his only son, Mark, he is survived by his loving daughter Amalia FourHawks and her husband Leonard FourHawks.  Also survived by his devoted “baby sister” Christine Kovalchick, a brother David and a daughter known as Griffin.

The gathering and funeral will be Monday, December 9 at the Mitchell Funeral Home in Easthampton. Calling hours are 10 am to 11 am, with funeral to follow immediately.  A noontime gathering of remembrance will be at the Florence Civic Center at 90 Park St in Florence.

Interment will be at Brookside Cemetery when the flowers bloom in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BigFluffyDogs.com, the Easthampton Community Center or to any charity that embodies his spirit of kindness and generosity.

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