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Thomas Neale Obituary

Neale

Thomas H. Neale

12/14/1947 - 12/23/2023

Thomas H. Neale was a native of Auburn, NY. He attended the public schools of Solvay, NY, and holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. He pursued additional studies at Syracuse University and the Université de Dijon.



Over 53 years until his death, Mr. Neale worked in the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, rising to become a Specialist in American National Government. In serving congressional committees, members of Congress, and congressional staff, Mr. Neale provided expertise, analysis, consultation, and information on American constitutional theory and history; American political history; U.S. elections, with a concentration on the presidency and the Electoral College; and presidential and vice presidential qualifications for office, terms, tenure, succession, and disability. Mr. Neale testified on these issues before committees of the House of Representatives and Senate. His contributions to the Library of Congress included CRS at 100: A Centennial History of the Congressional Research Service.



Mr. Neale's external writings included contributions to Wilson Quarterly, The Encyclopedia of the United States Congress, and The Encyclopedia of the United States in the 19th Century. He lectured on the U.S. election process at Meridian International, the Organization of American States, and the House of Representatives' Parliamentary Development Task Force and its House Democracy Partnership. For the U.S. State Department, he lectured at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, the U.S. Embassy in Austria and several Austrian universities, and the Egyptian Parliament and the American University in Cairo. He also served as a panelist for the Voice of America radio international service.



In Washington, DC, Mr. Neale was active in organizations such as the Association of Oldest Inhabitants, where he served as president and a board member, and the Downtown Serra Club. In the Syracuse, NY, area, Mr. Neale maintained current knowledge and many friends and supported local cultural and historical entities.



Mr. Neale was preceded in death by his father Harry Neale, mother Mary (Holleran) Neale, and brother Harry Neale Jr. He is survived by his brother Richard and sister-in-law Sandy Neale and his nephews Richard Jr. and Brian Neale. Visitation January 30, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Annunciation Roman Catholic Church, 3810 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC.The funeral Mass follows at 10:30 a.m. at Annunciation. Burial will occur at a later date.Funeral services are provided by DeVol Funeral Home, Washington, DC.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 28, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Neale

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Jeff

April 6, 2024

I am a professor of French history asked to teach a class on American Government. My students are preparing essays and presentations regarding the Electoral College and what to do with it, if anything.

I prepared by reading Tom´s report on Electoral College Reform, which he updated in 2009. I was, and am, thoroughly impressed. So clear, so nuanced, and objective. I wish I could have met him and got to know him.

Howard Shaker

January 31, 2024

I met Tom back 2011 when moving into the condominium he resided in. He had a wealth of information about most everything concerning the condo. Tom was always generous in providing information and solutions to situations we encountered. Despite Tom working long hours he took time to promptly address questions we had. More importantly, Tom was kind and respectful always and that made it easy to engage with him. He will be missed.

JoAnn

January 30, 2024

I worked with Tom at the Library of Congress for many years. He was always kind and fun to be around. Tom never said no when we asked him be the Santa Claus during the Holidays. He was awesome at it! He would enter the room with a jolly laugh and smile. He made the children and everybody else smile.
I retired from the Library in December 2022. I called Tom a couple months before I retired. I asked him to make the toast at my retirement. He said, okay, I´ll do it. Tom had a wonderful singing voice. Unfortunately, he didn´t sing because he wasn´t feeling well the day of my retirement. But, it´s okay, because I have sweet memories of him singing "Happy Trails Until We Meet Again"

Single Memorial Tree

Roger A Walke

Planted Trees

Eric Fischer

January 29, 2024

Tom was such a wonderful person, someone I was always delighted to see and felt honored to know. He was a true gentleman in the very best sense of that word. I worked in a different part of CRS, so did not see him as often as I would have liked, but when we did meet, he always found a way to make time for a wonderful conversation. He and a few other colleagues were paragons of what true public service at CRS is all about. I will remember him always with great fondness and gratitude. I regret that I am unable to travel to DC for his funeral but will be there in spirit. May Tom rest in the eternal peace and joy he so richly deserves, and may all his family and friends be comforted by the love we share in common for him. -Eric Fischer

Joan Davenport

January 29, 2024

Tom, it's so hard to believe you have left. You had a way of leaving people smiling, or thinking, no matter the situation. The world is, alas, a drearier place. Peace my friend.

Cluster of 50 Memorial Trees

Royce Crocker

Planted Trees

Michael Fabio

January 29, 2024

I have had the pleasure of Tom's wit and friendship since grade school. Everything from Boy Scouts, Latin class, playing on his back porch to fine dining in our DC area. Our birthdays were a day apart, and I would never let him forget that I was the oldest (although he was probably the wisest). We shall miss him.

Karen C. Martin

January 28, 2024

Tom was a unique individual in the best sense of the word. He was extremely erudite, and deeply knowledgeable about a broad range of history, to put it mildly. I always enjoyed our conversations and will treasure his emails on topics of mutual interest. He is to be remembered for his impressive tenure with the U.S. Library of Congress and I will remember him as my friend.

Mwendaendi Lewanika

January 28, 2024

I am so heartbroken to hear about Mr. Thomas Neale´s transition. It was my pleasure to be one of his home health nurses. I will miss him. He was very kind. Rest in Peace Mr. Neale

Anne Ford

January 28, 2024

I had the opportunity to visit Mr Neale through Medstar Home Health. I am sadden to hear of his loss. I use pray with him in his home during my nurses visit. I am Catholic as well and he told me he knew my pastor at HCSC. I considered him a friend. My condolences to his family. My sincere heartfelt sympathy. May the perpetual light shine upon you. Rest in peace thy good and faithful servant.

Single Memorial Tree

Soody S. Schneider

Planted Trees

Jackie DeCecco

January 27, 2024

Tom was a great friend through high school and beyond. He took our family on tour when we visited DC. I´m so glad we spent time at lunch with him in 2023 . Rest easy, my friend .

Andrea Ptak

January 26, 2024

Reading of Tom's passing just breaks my heart. He was one of my older sister's closest friends through high school and a constant visitor to our home when I was growing up and far beyond. He continued to visit my parents until their deaths and we would always have lively discussions on a variety of topics. He was such a delight.

Henry Glowacki

January 26, 2024

I had the honor of being Tom's classmate from kindergarten through high school. Tom always displayed class and control regardless of the situation and was always willing to assist those in need. Although we didn't correspond frequently since our last reunion, I hold fond memories of the times we shared. Good By my friend, you will be missed.

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Memorial Events
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Jan

30

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Annunciation Catholic Church

3810 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Jan

30

Mass of Christian Burial

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Annunciation Catholic Church

3810 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Funeral services provided by:

DeVol Funeral Home - Washington

2222 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20007

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