Augusta ~ Neill E. Miner, 68, of Augusta, passed away May 5, 2018, with his family at his side. Neill was the oldest of four boys born to Harold and Leah (Stetson) Miner. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Paul A. Miner. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Ellen; his sons Andrew and Zachary; and two brothers, Alan and his wife Patty, and David and his wife Lynne. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Ana and Serena, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Neill graduated from Scituate High School (’67) and Bates College (’71), where he was captain of the cross-country team. He later obtained his Master’s Degree in social work from West Virginia University. Neill worked for the state when he returned to Maine, eventually serving as director of the Office of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention. He later became a founding director of the New England Institute of Addiction Studies, leading it into its modern era, and also of AdCare Educational Institute of Maine. In those roles in Maine and New England he organized and ran conferences for professionals in the field of alcohol and drug abuse prevention, as well as writing numerous successful grants to fund prevention efforts and mentoring the next generation of substance abuse prevention workers. Neill was an Eagle Scout and continued to be involved in scouting with his sons, who also became Eagle Scouts. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed canoeing, hiking, running and bicycling. He was also an avid home renovator and, together with his wife, refurbished several homes while living in them and raising their family. He was a former member of the Augusta Rotary Club. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so are invited to make memorial contributions to a cause of their choice. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, where memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com. A celebration of Neill’s life will be Saturday, June 9 at 2:00 at the Maple Hill Farm Inn & Conference Center, 11 Inn Road Hallowell, ME 04347. Donation suggestions: Neill Miner Memorial Fund AdCare Educational Institute Attn: James Gorske 5 Northampton St Worcester, MA 01605 Note: Much of Neill’s career was spent obtaining funding for and/or running projects to improve alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment. One of the largest and longest-lasting of these projects is the New England School of Addiction Studies, an annual 4-day training program now in its 49th year that he ran for over a decade. Contributions to this fund will support a scholarship (or similar support for the school) in Neill’s name. Glenridge Comfort Care Expansion Project Office of Philanthropy, MaineGeneraE PO Box 828 Waterville, ME 04903 Note: Neill and his family drew a lot of comfort and support from the newly opened 5-bed inpatient hospice unit in Augusta. The hospital is engaged in a project to add a family room and new entrance which will enhance the care and experience of future patients and their families at this facility.