Passing Of Fremont Entertainer & Collaborator – Legendary Performer Simon Neale

Simon Neale, right, in a Fremont Players’ production of ‘Peter Pan’, with Tinkerbell. Photo by K. Lindsay Laney, Dec ’11

Last Thursday, May 9^th, Simon Neale passed away, leaving a legacy of performance and friendship behind. Neale took part in Fremont Arts Council events, especially the Fremont Solstice Parade, and through collaborations begun there he created the Fremont Players and launched Moisture Festival as one of its founding producers.

Neale had a strong sense of humor, and a natural way of making everyone feel a part of the fun. He engaged his fellow players, as well as audiences at Moisture Fest, the Fremont Players’ panto shows, and when he performed in the Fremont Oktoberfest Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving, another production he helped create.

In a Facebook post written by Keith Neale, about his dad and hero, he acknowledged the strength of the bonds Simon formed among his acquaintances and within our whole community. “It is in these darkest of occasions that we are reminded that family is not defined by blood, but by the bonds we foster and share with those around us.”

A friend, Hilary Anthony, wrote about (click here) his impact at Oregon Country Fair, as one of the expected and recognized artists and artisans. “Simon Neale was one to show up early with tools; then unpack the costumes as the show approached. He would sing and joke from the stage, then dance away the night at the after party.”

Simon Neale, left, with friend Jennifer outside the Fremont Brewing tasting room he helped craft as a master carpenter. Photo by K. Lindsay Laney, Oct ’14

Anthony further revealed, “Simon’s greatest talent was to weave us deeper into community. He made people welcome. He let them in on the joke.” Anthony also wrote about how, last year, Neale admitted, briefly, to having had a hard time, with personal problems and health issues plaguing him, but he remained, “jovial and engaged.” As she observed, “When I wasn’t carried away by the sheer joy of being near Simon, I thought about the tears of a clown.”

Now, at age 58 and just weeks shy of another birthday, his friends and family have lost Neale to multiple organ failures. His son openly acknowledged that this end came after a long struggle with alcohol dependency. The terrible loss of this light-hearted seeming friend, joy-inspiring performer and hard-working contributor to our arts community will be mourned, but Neale does leave us all with a legacy to be admired and, in most aspects, emulated.

Farewell, Simon Neale, and rest in peace!