He was born September 21, 1928 in Greenville, Pennsylvania, the only son of the late Eugene Francis Neel and Julia Alice Clifford, and stepson of the late Parry Hicks Mold.

Eugene graduated from Girard High School, where he played football and captained the track team. He graduated after his freshman year in 1945 so that he could serve his country in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1949. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. After serving, he attended John Carroll University, graduated from the Ohio Northern School of Pharmacy in 1954, and passed his state councils that same year. Eugene was a member of the Pheta Kappa Phi fraternity.

Eugene was recognized by the State of Ohio for having practiced the profession of pharmacist for more than 50 years, first at Brown’s Drug Store in Bear’s Den, then in Canfield, then at Wittenauer’s Pharmacy in Struthers, Poland and Boardman. Upon retirement, he worked for Pharmacy Data Management at Boardman.

He resided in Canfield for over 60 years. His family was one of the founding families of St. Michael’s Parish in Canfield. He enjoyed building model rockets, flying kites, reading, gardening, playing politics and spending time with his faithful companion, Tucker. He loved nothing more than celebrating America’s independence with special attention to pyrotechnics.

Eugene is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris Mae Conway, whom he married on October 22, 1955; his children, Lisa Marie Neel Morris (William) of Atlanta, Georgia, Kathleen Ann Neel (Allen Clarke) of Weddington, North Carolina and Michael John Neel (Paul Baccari) of Marshfield, Mass .; four grandchildren, Jessica, Patrick, Julia Rose and Jack; and three great-grandchildren. He loved and was completely devoted to his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael’s Parish, 300 N. Broad St. Canfield, OH 44406.

A service will be held in his memory in the spring of 2022.

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