Neal R. Marean

STANDISH – Neal R. Marean, 91, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Northern Light Mercy Hospital.

Neal was born on Jan. 13, 1934, in Standish, the eldest son of Carl E. and Marjorie (Lombard) Marean. He graduated from Standish High School in the class of 1952, enlisting shortly thereafter in the United States Marine Corps. Deployed to support UN forces in the Korean War, he was stationed at Camp Fuji, Japan, training as a flame tank commander.

He married Bevalie Boulier Waite of Standish, a classmate and the love of his life, on Aug. 22, 1953; together they raised two children in a union that spanned more than seven decades. A devoted family man, when Neal was asked to share the secret of a long and happy marriage, his answer was only two words, “yes, dear.”

Neal was a life-long hard worker. Following his discharge from the Marines, he joined his father doing excavation work, and eventually turned to truck driving, which would occupy a significant portion of his working life. Early on, he drove for Maine Gas, followed by Hannaford Bros, PB Mutrie, and later, Sanborn Trucking. For a break, he started his own excavating business and when business slowed, returned to cross-county trucking as owner/operator of Pine Hollow Trucking. He took on additional side and part-time jobs to finance his wife’s education, spending many nights working as security for MBI and lobstering on the weekends.

After his decision to quit cross-country hauling, he worked for his brother, Clifton at Northeast General Contractor’s at the crushing plant in Hollis for many years and was an expert equipment operator. Neal’s retirement found him not in pursuit of leisure but cutting, splitting, and delivering countless cords of firewood, or, in cold weather, plowing snow at all hours.

Neal was a founding member of Standish Rescue and Standish Lions Club; he was a Lifetime Member of Presumpscot Masonic Lodge in Windham.

Neal loved following UCONN Women’s Basketball, he loved snowmobiling, ice fishing, horse racing, rabbit hunting, blueberry picking, rollercoasters, and auto racing. He followed NASCAR and took pride in being an owner of a championship car at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, with his son-in-law “Pee Wee” Knight.

Neal was predeceased by his father; Carl, mother, Marjorie, stepfather, Atwood (Larry) Poole; sister, Diane and brother-in-law, Jerry Grysk, brother Carl and sister-in-law, Jane.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 71 years, Bevalie; his son, Stephen and his partner Susan, daughter, Terry and her husband Erlon Knight; three grandsons, Jeb Knight, Wesley Marean and Chase Marean; brothers Donald and his wife Linda, Clifton and his wife Carroll; many nieces/nephews; great-nieces/nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, http://www.mainefuneral.com

A graveside service with USMC Honors will be held at Dow’s Corner Cemetery in Standish.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the

Standish Historical Society

Building Fund

P.O. Box 228

Standish, ME 04084