Neil Speer

Whitehall-We are sad to announce the passing of Neil Speer on December 6, 2022 at the age of 86. He was born on February 7, 1936 in Nutley, NJ to Frank and Lillie May Speer, where he grew up with his 2 sisters and 2 brothers.

Neil enlisted in the Army in 1953 and is a Korean War veteran. In 1955 he married his childhood sweetheart, Patricia Boswell, and they moved to Lake Lackawanna NJ. After returning from the Army, he started work as a roofer for a local construction company. On the side, he built his own house at the age of 22. Soon afterwards, he hung out his shingle and was a self-employed carpenter building many houses around the lakes of Northern New Jersey.

Neil and Pat raised four children, Kathleen Charpentier, Peggy (Mark) Gordon, Frank (Lori) Speer, and Jody (Terry) Speer.

In 1971, Neil wanted to live in a smaller town and decided to move to Whitehall, where he continued his carpentry business. 

Neil was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed hunting and trapping locally, but he also liked taking hunting excursions to Canada, Colorado, and New Mexico to hunt bigger game.

Neil was pre-deceased by his wife, his sisters, Shirley Selser and Ruth Pruden, as well as his brothers, Harvey and Alan. He is survived by his 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.

At Neil’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Skenesborough Rescue Squad or to the Alzheimer’s association in memory of Patricia Speer.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Neil Speer, please visit our floral store.