Neal McGarry Bidwill

Bidwill, Neal McGarry, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Good Friday, April 2, 2010, after a courageous struggle with Melanoma. He was 79 years old. Born in Chicago on May 23, 1930, he was raised in the city's near west suburbs, graduating from Fenwick High School. After attending Loyola University in Chicago, he served in the United States Air Force. Upon discharge from the military, he began operating The Pacific Company, a construction business originally formed by his great-grandfather in 1914. Under Neal's stewardship, the business flourished. He operated the business for almost sixty years up to the time of his death, providing sidewalk, street, and electrical contracting services throughout Chicago and Northern Illinois. Having a talent for business and an entrepreneurial spirit, Neal was involved in many business pursuits throughout his life. Among his many business endeavors, he owned and operated an insurance company, a carwash, a sports store, an RV dealership, a lakefront restaurant in Wisconsin, a home building business, and a beach side motel. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a Chicago Alderman in the late 19th century, and his father, who served 38 years in the Illinois Senate, including ten years as President pro tem and majority leader, and having a passion for politics and public service, Neal served in public office and participated in political affairs throughout much of his life. While living in Illinois, he was elected three times to serve as a Village Trustee of the Town of River Forest, Illinois, serving from 1961-1967. During those years, he also served as the elected Republican Committeeman from River Forest. He ultimately was appointed to serve on the Cook County Republican Executive Committee, and was instrumental in many successful political campaigns, including those of his father. In 1963, he received a certificate of appreciation from President Kennedy in "grateful recognition of valuable service contributed to the nation and the Selective Service System in the administration of the Universal Military Training and Service Act." Upon moving to Broward County, Florida, in 1975, he continued his career of public service. In the late 1970s, he served two terms as an elected councilman in Sea Ranch Lakes, Florida. In 1980 he was elected to serve as Mayor of Sea Ranch Lakes, and was re-elected in 1982 and 1984, serving a total of three terms in that office. While endorsing him in 1984, The Fort Lauderdale News stated, "Bidwill's ability to apply common sense business principles to government qualifies him for re-election," and the Miami Herald opined that "his accomplishments have earned him another term." As the Mayor of Sea Ranch Lakes he successfully improved municipal services, while significantly cutting costs. He also successfully fought the forced annexation of Sea Ranch Lakes into the City of Pompano Beach. As reported by the Sun-Sentinel, he called the legislative effort "total disenfranchisement and un-American", and stated "bigger is not better, all you have to do to realize that is to look at the federal government." While his own public service ended in the 1980s, his passion for politics and public affairs continued to the time of his death, and he lived to see his own son Martin appointed, and then elected, as a Broward Circuit Court Judge, and his Son Joseph elected as a Village Trustee in Fontana, Wisconsin. Neal was blessed with a large, loving, Irish Catholic family and many close friends. He had a sharp, but playful, wit even to the end of his life, and he always enjoyed telling and re-telling a good story. An accomplished musician, he enjoyed reading and boating, tennis and golf, football and horse racing, a cold beer, a friendly bet, and, at one time, a good cigar. He touched many, many lives, and was such an enormous and thriving part of the lives of all around him, especially his family and close friends. His passing constitutes a profound loss for all who loved him, but the wonderful memory of our lives with him will serve to sustain us. He is survived by five children, Joseph Bidwill of Fontana, Wisconsin, Martin Bidwill, of Lauderdale By The Sea, Mary Maxfield of Louisville, Colorado, Jane Soto of Sea Ranch Lakes, Catherine Stiffler of Lauderdale By The Sea; their mother Patricia; daughters-in-law Karol Bidwill and Michelle Bidwill; sons-in-law Alex Soto, Eric Maxfield, and Daniel Stiffler; fifteen grandchildren, Kathleen (and her husband Joe Ortiz), Connor, Arthur, Kacie, Veronica, Stephanie, Madeline, Amy, Sophia, Holden, Emma, Joseph, Eliza, Patrick, and Jack; a great-grandson Joseph; his brother Father Joseph Bidwill of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his sister Jane Maus and her husband Bill of Fort Lauderdale; his longtime, devoted companion Diane Whewell; and dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Coleman's Catholic Church, in Pompano Beach on Tuesday, April 6, at 11 a.m., and a memorial mass is tentatively planned for Fontana, Wisconsin, Neal's favorite place in the world, during the summer of 2010. Arrangements are being handled by Kraeer Funeral Home, 200 North Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, Florida. As Neal generously supported many charities throughout his life, in lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in Neal's memory be made to Canine Assisted Therapy, P.O. Box 460176, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33346-0176, or the PACE Center For Girls of Broward, 2225 N. Andrews Avenue, Wilton Manors, Florida 33311.