Neal William Harvie, 81, a lifelong resident of South Portland, passed away on February 2, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Lancaster, NH to Henry and Beatrice (Hall) Harvie on July 6, 1941. He grew up on Sawyer Street with his five brothers, Len, Russ, Al, Keith, and Lee, whom he loved dearly and spent endless time as a young boy playing every sport imaginable. He attended Mahoney Middle School and South Portland High School (class of 1959), where he developed loyal friendships and excelled in track & field. Neal was agile, fast, and brave, becoming a first class pole vaulter.

Neal attended the University of Maine and was a member of the track team and Phi Eta Kappa fraternity. His fraternity brothers were lifelong friends, supporting each other through all stages of life. He spoke fondly of their many travels, driving across country and working summers in San Francisco and Cape Cod. He spent many winter weekends with friends and family skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain, Carrabassett Valley, where he met his wife Judith (Howe). They were married at the chapel at Colby College on August 3, 1968. The couple moved to England on a Fulbright exchange for teachers during their first year of marriage. They lived for one year in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, where Neal taught Math in the local middle school. They traveled extensively through Europe and passed this adventurous spirit down to the generations that followed.

Neal taught Math for 17 years at South Portland High School and was a highly respected track coach. He loved his students and his colleagues, creating enduring bonds. There was not a place in South Portland he could go where he would not be fondly approached by a former student, friend or colleague with a warm hello.

After teaching, Neal turned to a career in sales, first insurance and then optical, where he remained with Marcolin until his retirement in 2021. He traveled all of New England and knew every back road and short cut to get you where you needed to go. His success was a testament to his true caring, gentle nature and the meaningful connections he made with each client.

Above all, Neal was a family man, an endlessly devoted husband and loving father to his three children, James, Kimberley, and Bryan. He was a proud and skilled coach of countless of his sons' baseball teams and the most encouraging sideline cheerleader at every gymnastics meet, football game, diving, cross country or track meet involving his children. This commitment carried on to his grandchildren, whom he loved beyond measure. Neal was the proudest Grampa and nothing pleased him more than supporting them from the sidelines of soccer, cross country, track, snowboarding, football, baseball and academic achievements. Most of these accomplishments were honored after with a celebratory ice cream. He never missed a chance to say how much his family is loved and how proud and grateful he always was.

Neal will be remembered for his kindness and gentle heart; his twinkly eyed smile that foretold a joke; his ability to find personal connection with people across the globe; and the best loving hugs reserved for those he loved most.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judi; children: James of RI, Kimberley of NY, and Bryan of ME; grandchildren: Alayna, Ben, Stella, Lena, Brady, Kyla, and Nolan; four brothers: Russ, Al, Keith, and Lee; as well as son and daughters-in-law, beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Family and friends are welcome to a celebration of life, which will be held at Hobbs Funeral Home on Cottage Road, South Portland, Saturday, February 11, 2023. Visiting hours will be from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Parkinson Disease Association www.apdaparkinson.org .