Neil R. Kinsey

Neil Robert Kinsey of Lancaster passed away on January 17, 2013, at the age of 66.  Neil was born in Sellersville, PA, and grew up in Souderton, graduating from Souderton High School in 1964.  He was the son of Alton and Cosma Kinsey, both deceased.

Neil came to Lancaster County to attend Millersville University in 1964, graduating in 1968 with a BS in Education and a MEd in 1972.  It was at Millersville where he met his wife Donna, to whom he was happily married for 44 years.  In addition to Donna, he is survived by Elizabeth, wife of Jesse North of Lewisburg, and their children Samuel and Clara; Robert, husband of Ashley of Lancaster and their children Aidan and Jack; and Rebecca, wife of Jared Brown and their daughter Gwyneth, of Silver Spring, MD.

Neil began his career as a special education teacher at Edward Hand Junior High School for 4½ years before moving on to J. P. McCaskey High School for 26 years, where he held several different teaching positions.  Upon his retirement from teaching in 1998, he began a second career as a local government policy specialist for the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services in the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, where he assisted and trained local government officials on matters primarily related to planning and development.  He retired from DCED in 2006.

Over the years, Neil was involved in a number of community organizations, including the Board of the then-Goodwill Industries of Lancaster County from 1978-1983, HDC of Lancaster Board of Directors from 1980-1986, and the Lancaster County Housing Opportunities Partnership from 1994-2002.  He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Hourglass Foundation since 2005.

Neil was a member of the East Petersburg Borough Planning Commission for two years before being elected to Borough Council, serving two terms from 1978-1985.  He was a member of the Lancaster County Planning Commission from 1980-1985.  In 1989, after moving to East Hempfield Township, he was elected to the first of three terms as Township Supervisor, retiring in 2006.  He was a longtime member and chair of the Lancaster InterMunicipal Committee, and chaired its steering committee in writing

Growing Together: A Comprehensive Plan for Central Lancaster County

, the largest regional plan of its kind in the state.  He was a member of the Board of the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities from 1995-2006.  He served as President of the Lancaster County Association of Township Supervisors in 2002-2003, and on various committees with the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors between 1995 and 2006.

Neil was a lifelong Phillies fan, and after suffering through countless losing seasons in the 1960’s and 1970’s, was able to complete several items on his bucket list thanks to the Phillies, including attending World Series games in 1980 and 2008, seeing them win the Series both years, and attending spring training games in Clearwater, FL, in 2010.

Services will be held at Highland Presbyterian Church 500 East Roseville Road Lancaster, on January 23 at 11am, preceded by a visitation from 10am to 11am.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Hourglass Foundation, 104 West Chestnut Street, 3

rd

Floor, Lancaster, PA 17603.