Neil Andrew Prior, 43, formerly of New Harbor, passed away after a brave and hard fought battle against a rare form of cancer, on the afternoon of August 15th at the Hope Hospice House in Cape Coral, FL. He had battled hard for two years, after being in remission since 2003. Born on March 6, 1974, he was the son of Cindy Hall Prior Brackett and Paul L. Prior.

Neil grew up in New Harbor, where he graduated from Bristol School, and Lincoln Academy as part of the class of 1992. He also graduated from Bath Vocational School where he was certified as an Electrician in 1992. He was very ambitious with his work and hobbies (not so much school). His job during the summers, and throughout high school, was at Hanna’s Garage in New Harbor, where everybody knew and loved Neil.

He enjoyed nothing more than hunting with his best friend and grandfather, “Papa”, LeRoy Griffin. He tagged his first deer with his grandfather, and they loved to hunt with rifles, bow and arrows, and black powder muzzle loaders. They travelled together to shooting competitions all over New England. Neil continued his love of hunting throughout his life, belonging to several hunting camps in Georgia and the Carolina’s. He has several mounted animals including southern bucks, a wild black boar, his Maine buck, and most recently, two Maine Black Bears (shot in 2013 and 2014).

In the winter of 1996, Neil went to Florida on vacation and fell in love with it. He moved there permanently in May of 1996, never looking back. He said it was the state of opportunities, and he loved that he would never fill a wood box again! His first job there was as an installer of home security systems. That fall, on a job, the homeowner was a Navy recruiter...yes, Neil joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 22. He was stationed in Jacksonville, FL where he worked on planes aboard an aircraft carrier. While enlisted, he was a marksman, attending many competitions and winning several medals.

After his honorable discharge, he made Jacksonville his home. He loved the Florida weather, and took advantage of it by riding motorcycles all over and attending many rallies. Spring Break, along the Florida coast, was always a favorite destination. Neil worked in the home construction business, installing “smart houses” as well as working new construction. His final job saw him as the Sales & Superintendent Manager for a Stucco and Stone Company.

Neil was predeceased by his father, Paul L. Prior; grandfather, Neil L. Prior; maternal grandparents, Dorothy C. and Warren “Rib” Hall; uncle, Toby Hall; “Papa”, H. Leroy Griffin; aunt, Carol Griffin Bolduc; cousins, Joshua Bolduc and Logan Rice; step-grandparents, Leona and James Brackett; many great uncles and aunts he knew well and spent time with growing up; and most dear to his heart, his “girl” Millie, his Boston Terrier of 11 years, who “crossed the bridge” on Neil’s last day of chemotherapy treatment.

He is survived by his mother, Cindy Hall Prior Brackett; former step-father, Stephen A. Brackett; brothers, Robert T. Brackett and John W. Brackett; nephews, Mason A. Brackett and Dylan T. Brackett; niece, Anna K. Brackett; sister, Elizabeth A. Brackett Whitman and her husband “Duke” Whitman; sister, Miranda Prior; grandmother, Sandra L. Griffin; aunts, Kathy Prior, Karen Westhaver, Debbie Prior, and Lisa Griffin Rice and her husband Herb Rice; uncles, Robert Prior and Wife Rose; Mark Prior and wife Audrey; Barry Prior and John Prior; as well as many, many cousins.

A celebration of Neil’s life will be held at 2pm, on Sunday, September 3rd, at the Willing Workers Hall in New Harbor. He will be laid to rest privately in the Bristol Mills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Big Neil Little Buddy Fund”, ℅ Damariscotta Bank & Trust, PO Box 999, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Proceeds from this fund will go toward Neil’s 7 year old buddy, Trevor, who has been fighting cancer for two years.

Florida arrangements were entrusted to Your Traditions Funeral Home, and local arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543. Condolences, and messages for Neil’s family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Neil Prior, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.