CELEBRATION OF LIFE SEPT. 9TH 1:00 To ??
Robbie Neal
Moulton Station has lost a legend. A little after closing time (appropriately), our neighbour, barkeep, and friend, Robert Anthony Clarence Neal. passed peacefully on August 7, 2023 in his 94th year. Robbie was predeceased by his parents, Olive (Lageer) and Oscar Neal. He was a brother to Edith, Andy, Della, Shirley, and Ivan. Robbie is also survived by his second family, the Hunters. Roy and Jack, in particular, were lifelong friends. Robbie will be missed by his faithful 4-legged companion, Rosie.
Born on June 4, 1930 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Robbie had a long and varied career as a worker. He started, at the ripe age of 8, as a farm hand, pulling thorn bushes from farmers’ fence lines. Life working on a farm wasn’t easy. He lost his pinky finger in a beet shredder and all his earnings went home to help his parents with their growing family. As a teenager, he picked tobacco in Tillsonburg but eventually he made his way back home. He took employment with Bill Calvert in Byng for a time, then moving on to Dunn Township before landing at IMC in Port Maitland, where he worked until retirement. Robbie helped build the Dunnville Hunters and Anglers Club – known to locals as simply “The Gun Club” – where he served as the bartender for many years.
Robbie purchased his home on the Hines Road in the 1960’s. He loved his piece of heaven, although we are still looking for his “Lost Lake”. Robbie dreamed of starting a trailer park called Lost Lake Resort. There was one small problem – there was no lake. It’s a swamp in the bush. His new home was built in the 80’s, replacing the previous one-room shack. The woodstove in the centre of the room and a Yosemite Sam sign with the name Neal at the door resembles a backdrop for an old western movie. Robbie lived the simple life as a country boy, every bit as true as a Hank Jr. song.
For many years, Robbie sold “refreshments” at his place. Let’s just say that the beer was free, but conversation had a nominal price. In warm weather, “patrons” sat with their thumbs on their bottle tops in the yard to keep the flies out. Robbie’s door was always open but house rules dictated that refreshments were only sold until 7 o’clock.
Robbie never married or had children, but always considered the Hunter kids as his own. Neither could have asked for a better neighbour. Roy has had breakfast with him virtually everyday for years and Jack always made sure there was ample wood for the fires. Robbie had a circle of friends who gave a lot of time and energy to maintain his homestead, bring him dinners and give good company. He was grateful and generous.
Robbie had a full and rewarding life. Saturday Euchre player, luckiest raffle winner, loyal Export drinker (but never cold – he always had a couple sitting beside him at room temperature). He loved a chaw of Red Man, corn roasts, and the Hunter family Good Fridays in the bush. He lived by his own rules and would offer sage advice when asked. He never had a phone, didn’t take medication, didn’t watch TV. He listened to the satellite country music station. Visitors would hear it as they pulled in the drive. A life well-lived, without pretense or compromise. Robbie will be truly missed, and well-remembered. Celebration of Life will be held at 505 Hines Road Saturday September 9th from 1:00 to ?? Closing time. Please dress for the weather, the stove will be on.
“See ya later”
ROBBIE WAS A TRUE MOLTON DITCH BOY
Alwasy had a story…he was a good man….beer beside the woodstove to keep it warm..
RIP Robbie
My father Frank Tewsley talked about Robbie Neal all the time. Never met him but I heard lots from my dad about him. Never had a bad word to say about Robbie. R.I.P. Robbie.
I remember him from my Co-op days. He used to come visit with Cecil and Art Green and they’d have to go to the “shop” to fix something, and maybe have a sip while there. He always was a unique individual living life in his own terms. Rest in peace Mr. Neal.
i miss not giving Robbie his annual haircut he sure provided a lot of stories and old lore. He also made sure i had a few wobblie pops before I left. Rest in peace Robbie.
Robbie you lived an interesting and long life. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone whose heart he ever touched.
I worked with Robbie for a brief time at IMC, a great story teller and a gentleman always. RIP
Rest in peace Robbie. You certainly were a legend. I remember trudging back into your bush with the Hunter boys, my brothers (Drapers) and the Hare boys to Lost Lake (no lake but we did find the swamp). The boys wanted to build a little cabin back there, which was really more of a big hole dug into the ground with a bunch of boards on top. Robbie always knew when we were back there and you never knew when he would show up, or already be there. Eventually, the Hunters did build a cabin. My kids and grandkids have spent many Easter egg hunts there. The grandsons enjoy spending the odd night there now that they are teenagers
I attended my first ever corn roast at Robbie’s at the age of 16. It was quite an experience.
Our condolences go out to all the family. The Hines Road will never be the same.
I will miss Robby his hard working way etched in my mind the guy never stop . My brother Ray an I got the prevlage of staying at Robbies for the weekend while my parents went away. Robbie went out an bought new sheets an blankets just for us. For a kid this was quite the adventure an to stay at Robbies was like something right out of a Huckleberry Finn movie . How many people do you no that in the morning he had a chicken laying eggs right in the kitchen to a kid of 8 this was owesome. I will miss the man but have alot of good memories Eric.
I grew to love Robbie when I lived in Dunnville and for years enjoyed making him suppers. He truly was a legend and will be missed. 😢
Gone to soon my Friend Robbie everytime i was in dunville my dear friend Roy hunter whoes been my friend for 50 years took me for a chat with Robbie
God bless Robbie rest in peace till we meet again
Stuart veitch from ENGLAND
Gone but not forgotten a loverly man in everyway everytime I was in Dunville my dear friend of 50 years would take me to see WOR ROBBIE AS THEY WOULD SAY IN.NEWCASTLE I WILL MISS HIM ALLWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS MAY HE REST IN PEACE AMEN
GOD BLESS
What a guy. I was happy to be along side Robbie when he passed. I place his beloved hat, chew beside him. He was a pleasure to work with. He is missed at the HWMH by the CC staff. RIP Robbie!
Used to go there with Uncle Jack Hedden. Robbie was my euchre partner once at the
Gun Club Corn Roast. Of course we won. lol
P.S. A loyal export drinker?, who the heck gave him the Coors Light for the picture?
I remember Robbie from when I was a kid, he worked for my grandfather (Harve Roth) as a farmhand and on county equipment. He would always take the time to give me a tincup of water from the dug well. As a teenager, he was a good guy to know on a late Friday nite. lol. More recently, his stories of memories were intriguing to say the least. RIP Robbie…I hope the beer is warm where you are!!!
Rip. Buddy I’ll. Miss. Stopping bye
I remember Robbie as a very nice man, when my Dad passed away, he was there to help my family the farm chores. I remember his corn roasts, he use to collect our garbage, also there to help. RIP
Thanks for teaching my grandpa how to fish. You are and always be a true country boy.
Sincerely,
Monty Robert Worrall. 🙂