FARMINGTON — Clifford E. Neil, 89, of Farmington, passed away at home, with his family, on Saturday, Dec. 17, after a long battle with lung cancer and leukemia.

He was born April 9, 1922, in Corinna, the son of Marquis R. Neil and Nellie (Vining) Neil. The family later moved to Strong, where Clifford was educated and graduated from Strong High School, Class of 1940. He turned down the opportunity to go to college to remain in Strong working in the family lumber business.

Clifford enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1941 following Pearl Harbor. He served on patrol torpedo (PT) boats as a gunner’s mate in Rons (squadrons) 14, 27 and 28 through 1945, serving in the Philippines, Australia, Hawaii and Trinidad and Tobago. After the war, he returned to Strong to work in the family lumber business.

In 1947, he married Carlene Ames of Farmington. They lived in Farmington, where their three children were born. He worked for two years at Bass Shoe as a littleway stitcher. He later worked in the maintenance department at the University of Maine at Farmington for 23 years, where he earned a boiler license.

He was a member of the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years. Cliff was active in the community belonging to the Internaional Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), the Strong American Legion Post and Maine Lodge 20 AF and AM, where he was past master. He was a member of Knights Templar and Kora Shrine Temple.

In his leisure time, Cliff enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, bowling with the Incredible Seniors and square dancing. He could build or fix about anything and built the family camp at Porter Lake, where many happy hours were spent with family and friends. After retirement, he and Carlene had many happy adventures traveling around the U.S. and Canada in their camper. Cliff had a dry wit with a twinkle in his eye and many friends. He was a father-figure to many and will be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews, who enjoyed spending time outdoors and hearing stories of hunting and fishing exploits, as well as his time in the service.

Clifford is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carlene of Farmington; two sons, Collin Neil and his wife, Laura, of Farmington and Craig Neil and his wife, Kelly, of North Carolina; one daughter, Cynthia Holschuh and her husband, Karl, of Farmington; five grandchildren, Jennifer Hughes of Gray, Jaclyn Johnston of Knoxville, Tenn., Dana Holschuh of Portland, Ore., Carole Jane Barrett of Winthrop and Carleton Neil of Farmington; one great-grandson, Connor Hughes of Gray; and one sister, Dorris Brackley of Strong.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his brothers, Ronald M. (Wilson) Neil of Strong and Richard C. Neil of Strong.

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