Obituary of Neal P. Flewelling

NORTHPORT, ME – Neal Paul Flewelling, 55, passed into the love of his God and Savior in his home surrounded by family and friends on April 8, 2018. His family mourn his loss, but they also rejoice in his life and the beautiful gift God gave them when He made Neal. Neal was born on March 18, 1963 in Calais, Maine, the son of Erwin and Ellen Flewelling. He grew up with his six siblings in the wide-open spaces of Aroostook County. Neal was a man blessed with tremendous natural gifting and craftsmanship in woodworking coupled with a kind heart and a deep love for God and people. Soon after high school, he moved to the Atlanta area where he met and married the love of his life, Tracy Lynn Pierce. They spent several years performing missions work and outreach ministry throughout Europe. Upon their return, Neal managed a cabinet-making shop, worked in camping ministry in North Carolina, worked with troubled kids in Tennessee, and eventually became a production supervisor at Gibson Guitars. In 1999, Neal and Tracy moved to Northport, Maine where he worked for Taylor-Made Builders and later established Flewelling Guitar Works. Neal built beautiful guitars, ukuleles and drumboxes, and he invented a new style of travel guitar he named "The Paddle." Everything he touched, he made with great care, love, and the utmost excellence. Loyally devoted to his family and friends, Neal showed unyielding love toward everyone with whom he crossed paths. He was a man of exemplary faith and had a warm smile, an infectious laugh and a twinkle in his eye that could brighten any day. He had an uncanny gift for remembering people’s names. He was an incredible friend and a hard worker. He and Tracy raised and dearly loved many sweet golden retrievers, including the two they currently have, Merry and Emmett. While his final months were spent battling esophageal cancer, more importantly they were spent demonstrating unwavering trust in God and His kindness and faithfulness toward him. He loved well, right to the very end and the impact of his love is felt all across the world. He lived by these words found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Be joyful always! Pray continually! Give thanks in all circumstances! For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Neal is survived by his wife of 34 years, Tracy Lynn Flewelling, his parents, Erwin and Ellen Flewelling of Northport, ME, his brothers Don Flewelling of Presque Isle, ME and Timothy Flewelling of Pittsfield, ME; and his sisters, Lois Walton of Caribou, ME, Robin Switzer of Hermon, ME, Noelle Carle of Dayton, ME and Sandy Flewelling of Prospect, ME, along with their loving family members, too numerous to list. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 1:00pm at Church of the Open Door in Hampden. People who own an instrument that Neal made are invited bring them and play during the singing of “Amazing Grace.” Music will be provided—please have your instrument ready and in tune.