Gerald Donald Neal
Donald Neal passed away peacefully on October 6, 2020 at the age of
87. He was born on September
16, 1933 in Milville, New Jersey; the son of the late Anne (Casler) and Gerald Jacob Neal. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara and his sons Joseph Robert (and his wife Pamela) and Gerald Burton, and his grandchildren, Chloe, Beckham and Elizabeth.
Gerry was raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Airforce from 1953 to
1957. He received his Masters Degree in Business from George Washington University and became a professor of Accounting for 3 years at Benjamin Franklin University in Washington, DC. Later his professional experience included positions as a Financial Director of both Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC and St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He was a past President of the National Capital and New Jersey chapters of the Hospital Financial Management Association and the recipient of several Hospital Financial Management merit awards.
Upon moving to Connecticut, Gerry became an Associate with Comprehensive Business Services in Brookfield prior to joining the Society of Plastics Engineers in 1980 as their Administrative Director. Later he established his own business as an Accountant. Among his clients were Suburban-Industries, the business established and run by his son Joseph,
City Center Danbury, and the Nolan Realty Group for over 20 years. He treasured the friendships he made during that time with the Nolan and deSousa families.
Gerry and his wife Barbara lived in the Candlewood Knolls Community for over 40 years and raised their son Joe there. Gerry was actively involved in the Community and served as Treasurer of the Community and the Candlewood Knolls Tax District for many years. He received a Lifetime Achievement award from Candlewood Knolls in recognition of his service to the Community. In 2004, he was appointed as a Commissioner to the Judicial Selection Commission of the State of Connecticut by Governor Jodi Rell. He was an active member of St Edward the Confessor Church and Chairman of the St Matthews Guild Ministry for several years. He enjoyed his free time playing golf and watching his favorite teams; the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles playing football. He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends.
A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held in Connecticut at a later date. A donation in his memory may be made to St. Edward the Confessor Church or Hospice of the North Coast, Carlsbad, California.
Alicia McMullen of Stamford woke up recently to find one of her two Biden/Harris campaign signs stolen from her yard, so she went to headquarters and bought two more.
“Every time you buy a sign from the Biden/Harris campaign, that’s a donation,” she said. “So really the thief is doing me a favor by reminding me to make regular donations to the campaign. Every time a sign gets stolen I’ll be replacing it.”
She even has a lawn sign that says, “Steal My Sign, I Donate $ to Biden, Harris. Keep on Stealing Them.”
Francis “FX” Flaherty, of Darien, a retired FBI special agent, awoke recently to find one of his two Trump/Pence signs mangled and the other “askew” in front of the house, making him feel “violated and intimidated.”
Flaherty, who said he is a Democrat voting for Trump, said he put the signs up because there are so many Biden signs up in the town.
“I’m expecting these signs to be ripped out on a regular basis,” he said.
Most presidential election signs are being victimized excitement and get people to years the display of signs is more, but Republicans make show up to vote.
— with some exceptions — a the same claim. He’s not surprised thefts respected right of free exWest Haven Republican are up this presidential elecpression. But political exTown Chairman Dave Riccio tion year. perts say signs and other said he’s had many reports “People have strong feelcampaign materials for the of bold thefts of Trump ings about who occupies the national race this season are campaign signs and items — Oval Office,” Renfro said. being stolen and vandalized including a Trump flag right Scott McLean, professor at a higher rate than in preoff a front door. of political science at Quinvious years. He said stealing or vannipiac University, said the
“We’re a very divided dalizing campaign signs is main purpose of campaign country and it’s showing up against state law and that signs is to activate voters and this year,” said Jody Dietch, law should be enforced. mark territory. chairwoman of the Orange He said each sign is about He commended Orange Democratic Town Commit$5, “so you’re talking a lot of leaders for their joint press tee. money.” release decrying sign-steal
Dietch said there’s such an “If people want a political ing and vandalism. uptick in presidential candisign it’s their right,” he said. “It’s a great way to help date signs being stolen — Riccio said the sixththe partisan division we’ve especially Biden signs in degree larceny charge associbeen experiencing for the Orange — that she and Reated with stealing a sign is a last decade,” he said. publican Town Chairman class C misdemeanor punAnthony Marrocolla of Pio Imperati, who could not ishable by up to three Stamford said his Biden sign be reached for comment, months’ imprisonment and a was spray-painted black, so issued a joint statement maximum fine of up to $500. he put up a bigger one and imploring residents to allow He said people also can be bought five more — two are others to express themselves charged with trespassing, a up in his yard and the rest and telling them to call poclass A misdemeanor punare backup, in case it haplice and check security camishable by a maximum fine pens again. eras if anyone is seen defacof $2,000 and up to a year in Marrocolla said the couning or vandalizing signs. prison. try needs love, tolerance and
The joint release states: “Like most crimes, if the respect.
“In the end, we are all neighpolice do not observe the act “You used to be able to bors who live together, first hand, we would rely on have intellectual debates whose kids go to school and eyewitnesses from the public about politics. These days, engage in extra-curricular or video evidence,” said its much different, and activities together. Let’s all Orange Assistant Police truthfully, it’s scary,” he said. get along.” Chief Max Martins. He said Flaherty — the Darien
Prices vary from town to police have had only two Democrat who is voting for town, but Dietch said a Bicomplaints this year, which Trump — said the “intimidaden sign in Orange is $15. he said is a low number. tion campaign” from whomDietch said she’s had reports Dan Quigley, Republican ever messed with his signs of six Biden signs being Town Chairman in Greenwas “successful.” stolen and some people have wich, said he’s finding a Flaherty said he would resorted to attaching them strong reluctance of people love to vote Democrat, but he high on poles so they can’t be to display Trump materials, doesn’t believe Biden is your easily reached. whether it be a sign, bumper “JFK Democrat.”
Experts say that aside sticker or magnet. He said “I like generally what from high poles, people are folks are afraid a sign on Trump has done for the putting dog feces around the their lawn will be run over country,” he said, noting he signs so would-be vandals by a vehicle or their vehicle likes secure borders, supget an unwelcome surprise, will be keyed. porting police, a good econoor stickingmy.thesignsinpoi-“Itdoesn’tappeartobe son ivy bushes, or, in the the case for Biden” signs, he He said he was “really case of Biden signs, attachsaid. taken aback,” when the sign ing smaller signs that read: Greenwich tends to run was ripped out in less than “Think twice before stealing Republican locally, but 24 hours. my sign. If you do I’ll donate Trump lost the vote there in McMullen, the Stamford $15 to Planned Parenthood, 2016 and is expected to lose resident who said the thieves Every Town for Gun Safety in 2020, Quigley said. He were doing her a favor beand the Biden-Harris camsaid the political democause she would contribute paign. And put up a new graphics are shifting locally more to the Biden campaign sign.” as people move in from New by buying more signs, said
Robin Druckman, viceYork. she wants to do her part for chairwoman of Stamford “They don’t want to (disthe visibility of the Biden Democrats, said there is play Trump campaign items) campaign. such an increase in reports because of the discourse,” While presidential signs of signs being taken or deQuigley said of Greenwich may be being targeted, local faced this year that they Republicans. “The discourse race signs are doing about come with a warning to keep has been so poisonous the same as usual — inan eye on them, keep them they’re reluctant to even cidents have happened. close to home or attach them have a conversation.” Some local campaigns put to something. Quigley said campaign out fewer signs this year,
She said two people came signs are part of American thinking fewer people will in last week to say their sign culture. He said it started in be out driving and seeing was taken and a bag of dog 1824 when John Quincy them because of the panfeces was left on their lawn. Adams was running for demic, while others said They ordered five more president and asked some they put out more signs signs and put them all over, people to put out signs. because more people are including in windows. Wesley Renfro, associate walking.
“People are determined to dean and associate professor Mike Lawlor, associate show their support and they of political science at Quinprofessor of criminal justice won’t be dissuaded,” Drucknipiac University, said reat the Henry C. Lee College man said. “We get emails search shows lawn signs of Criminal Justice and Foand calls every day for have little effect on an elecrensic Sciences at the Unisigns.” tion. He said signs are really versity of New Haven, who
Democrats allege their about engagement — to stir grew up in politics and