Alan James Robert Neale

The Reverend Alan James Robert Neale, 73, of Edenton, North Carolina passed away at home on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Alan was born in London, England on April 16, 1952 and was the son of the late James Samuel Robert Neale and Lilian Hur Neale. Alan’s first encounter in the Church of England was as a choir boy and he preached his first sermon at the age of 16 at Christ Church Highbury following his conversion at a Billy Graham Crusade in London.

After attending The London School of Economics and gaining a B.S. degree in Economics and Political Science, Alan considered a career as a barrister but God had other plans, hence, he attended Oxford University receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees in Theology, Philosophy, History and Languages and a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry and Counseling.

Alan served as Junior Curate at St. Andrew’s Plymouth and Curate/Assistant Priest at Christ Church Highfield. From there he became Vicar of his own Parish at St. Andrew’s Stanstead Abbots. In 1988, the family made a monumental decision to move to the United States where he served as Rector of St. Paul’s Church in Brookings, South Dakota. After almost three years they moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he served as Rector of St. Columba’s Chapel for thirteen years. Ready for a new challenge Alan became Rector at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia in 2004. Eleven years later he and Wendy returned to their home in Newport, Rhode Island ready to start a new chapter. He served as a part-time Priest at Trinity Church in Newport giving special attention to weddings and pastoral care. One of his greatest loves and gifts as a minister was preparing and marrying couples – he saw this as a wonderful evangelistic opportunity. Over the course of his almost 50 years of ministry he married hundreds of couples, many of whom have stayed in contact with him. In 2019 and 2020 Newport Wedding Magazine voted him best officiant in Newport County. In 2020 he was called to serve a one year term as the Interim Priest at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Goldsboro, NC. While traveling throughout Eastern North Carolina Alan and Wendy made the decision to retire in Edenton. It was during this time that he accepted a part-time position as Priest-in-Charge at Zion Episcopal Church in Washington, North Carolina. Alan was a deeply spiritual man who touched so many lives in so many ways through his wisdom, wit, humor, his warmth, and inclusion of all.

Alan was a voracious reader and learned to needlepoint during his time in Philadelphia, he cherished his time with family.

Alan is survived by the love of his life his wife of 39 years, Wendy; their children, Jonathan Denys Neale (Daria) of the United Kingdom from his first marriage, Daniel Braithwaite (Gretchen) of Rhode Island, Melissa LaFave (Owen) of the UK, and Benjamin Braithwaite (Kelsey) of Rhode Island; seven grandchildren, Elijah and Caleb Neale, Paxton, Colin, Olivia, Bevan and Harrison Braithwaite and Oscar LaFave.

A Celebration of Life service is being planned for May.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zion Episcopal Church, 7302 US Hwy. 264 East, Washington, NC 27889 or to Eagle’s Wings Food Pantry, 932 West Third Street, Washington, NC 27889.