Raymond Delmar Neal Jr. lost his valiant battle with cancer on October 9 in Desert Hot Springs, California.
With an outgoing personality and standing at 6 feet 8 inches, Mr. Neal cut a large figure in the Castro, where he was a familiar figure for many years. His key civic contribution was his pioneering determination to clean the neglected public sidewalks and areas of the Castro, which resulted in a workable model for the rest of the city.
Mr. Neal was born on December 8, 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended St. Boniface Church and Goldmeir Middle School and graduated from Riverside High. His parents owned a record store, which sparked his lifelong interest in music. Mr. Neal moved to San Francisco in the mid-1970s and was a professional waiter at Campton Place, the Portman Hotel, and Half Shell. His passion for gardening and landscaping was expanded when he and his partner, Ralph "Silver" Silverstrim, started a property maintenance business; Mr. Neal succeeded in gaining access to city water outlets to be able to pressure-wash sidewalks. Mr. Neal's work in the Castro was recognized by then-Mayor Willie Brown, who gave a special award and designated a day in honor of Mr. Neal and Silverstrim.
Mr. Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Arline (nee Bird) Neal and is the brother of Rosalind, Roger (Gayle), Rod, and Ronald of Milwaukee, and Renate of Miami. He is survived by Silverstrim, six nieces, four nephews, and many friends in the west.
Special thanks to neighbors and longtime friends Art Reynolds and Michael Gebbart. Most especially to his partner, Silver, who provided 24/7 care for the last year.
Memorials can be sent c/o Rosalind Neal, 4111 N. Sherman Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53216. Also to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society.