Neal Singer, born on Nov. 11, 1933, in Warsaw, Poland, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the age of 91.
He was the cherished son of the late Al and Faye Singer and a beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
At just three years old, he immigrated to the United States with his family. Settling in Kansas City, where he grew up alongside four older brothers — Eddie, Michael, Morton, and Robert — and later met his wife, Elaine. Neal and Elaine were blessed with 66 wonderful years of marriage and four dynamic children — Dennis (wife Julie) of Palos Verdes, California; Jeff (wife Tracey) of St. Louis, Missouri; Mike (wife Stacey) of St. Louis; and Pamela (husband Jack) DiCapo of Kansas City, Missouri.
Neal’s life was deeply rooted in community, service and a love for the people around him. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in San Diego and Alaska, before returning home to Kansas City, where he dedicated 25 years as a firefighter. When he wasn’t at the fire station, he could be found at Hankin’s Jewelry, the downtown store he and his wife owned and operated for two decades — a true reflection of his hard work and commitment to family.
Beyond his career, Neal embraced life with warmth and a playful spirit. He was a fixture at the poker table with his buddies, a lover of live music and theatre and always armed with a joke to share. He had a deep appreciation for good food, never turned down the challenge of a game show, and he made it his mission to bring a smile to those around him. Nowhere was this more evident than in his role as a grandfather. Neal adored his seven grandchildren — Lauren (Luke) Marvine, Alexandra (Rishi) DiCapo Patel, Jessica (Jeff) Alexander, Jordan, Natalie, Danielle and Taylor — and his two great-grandchildren, Penelope and Mila DiCapo.
Neal is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To say he will be missed by all is an understatement, but his memory will live on through his family — who will cherish fond memories for years to come.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Neal’s memory to a charity of your choosing. A funeral and celebration of Neal’s life was held on Feb. 5 at Louis Memorial Chapel.
