Frank Neves, Pro Baseball Umpire From Enfield, Dies At 61

ENFIELD, CT — Frank Neves, an Enfield High School graduate who spent four decades as a baseball umpire, including a lengthy stint in the professional ranks and an unforgettable thrill working home plate at Fenway Park, died Oct. 22 at his home near Congamond Lake in West Suffield. He was 61.

Ironically, a man who spent most of his adult life on the baseball diamond did not play baseball in high school. He was, however, a lineman on the Raiders' football squad in 1976 and 1977 (photo below). His entry in the 1978 Enfield yearbook indicates he was a member of the band, the concert and mixed choirs and the Lamplighters drama club.

Through a mutual passion for the arts, Neves met and eventually married his high school sweetheart, Pam. They were together for more than 40 years.

In Florida, Neves graduated from the renowned Al Somers Umpire School and began a 10-year stretch working professional games. He umpired in the New York-Penn, Florida State, Southern and Eastern leagues, then became a highly-respected college official, working Division I games in the Atlantic Coast, Atlantic 10 and Big East conferences, among others. During the summer, he worked games in the prestigious Cape Cod League, and had a home plate assignment at the Beanpot tournament championship at Fenway Park in Boston.

Services for Neves have not yet been scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, in the last part of his obituary, his family has made a special request to all who knew him.

"On a fine summer day when the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd resumes, please watch a baseball game, root for the umpire and think of Frankie. He would relish the thought."

A number of people have shared their memories of Neves on social media, on his obituary on the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels website, and via email directly to Patch.

• "When I hear the name Frank Neves, my first thought is playing pond hockey with him on the pond across the street from my house. Playing so many pickup games that my white figure skates became black. Playing so many games that when the Enfield Twin Rinks opened, I became a rink rat. Also I was a founding member of the Enfield Eagles girls hockey team. Thank you Frank for letting me play pond hockey with you and all the older boys." - Rosemarie (Boudreau) Zachary
• "Frank was a conscientious umpire. Went to umpire school and umpired in the Carolina League, which was the high level Class A league. He then went to western Massachusetts and held several high level administrative posts with that board. Always happy to talk about Enfield athletics every time I saw him. Way too early." - Bob Bromage, Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame inductee
• "I had the pleasure of working both baseball and football with Frank. A good official on the field and a good person off the field." - James Quenneville
• "We are so sad to hear of Frank's passing. We have known Frank for over 40 years and we will never forget his smile, his playful spirit and most of all his great heart for people. Frank was a joy to see him work with the kids from Enfield little league and watch him umpire a game. He was a true gentleman." - Jack and Gail Hunter
• "One of the very best umpires around." - Chris Corkum, Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame inductee

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