THOMASTON - Neil Arthur Harjula, 80, left us suddenly on July 30, 2021 at his summer home on the shore in South Thomaston. 

Born in Thomaston, June 6, 1941, Neil was one of seven children of William Edward and Mary Condon Harjula.

Neil grew up on the family farm in South Thomaston and attended the one room Green Schoolhouse on the Saint George Road, then graduated from Thomaston High School in 1959. Childhood years were spent playing on the farm and helping his father and brothers work the farm and run Harjula’s Dairy.

On October 30, 1959, Neil married his high school sweetheart, Joan M. Monroe. They resided in Thomaston, raising three sons there.

After high school, Neil was employed at the Thomaston Garage and Shepard’s Garage, before starting at Martin Marietta (now Dragon Cement). He was Dragon’s longest employee, working there 53 years, and its oldest employee when he retired at the age of 78.

Neil and Joan enjoyed traveling and spending summers at their place on the shore of Waterman’s Beach. Neil enjoyed camping, boating and spending time with his great-grandsons. He was a long-time active member of the Finnish Congregational Church in South Thomaston.

Neil was predeceased by his son Bruce, his sister Helen, his brother Gerald, and his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan; two sons, Jay, Chris and his wife Melissa all of Thomaston; granddaughters Katie Harjula(John) of Palermo, Kiersten Harjula (Thomas) of Warren; great-grandsons Gage Neil Miller and Gaven Bruce Miller of Palermo;  his brothers David Harjula of St. George, William (Sheila) Harjula of South Thomaston; his sisters Sally Elliot of South Thomaston, and Cheryl Harjula of Thomaston, as well as the extended Monroe and Harjula families. 

A graveside service will be held, Wednesday, August 11 at 11 a.m. at the Village Cemetery, Erin Street in Thomaston.  Rev. Michelle Wiley will officiate.    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841, or AIO Food Pantry, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.   To share a memory or story with Neil’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.