BELFAST — Neill Clayton Peterson, of Belfast, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, with his wife, brother-in-law and caregivers by his side after five years of living with multiple myeloma.

Neill was born April 17, 1943 to Ruby Clayton Peterson and Dr. John Peterson. He joined his brothers, John and Brent. Neill spent most of his childhood free-ranging with a group of neighborhood boys and causing many first aid incidents. Luckily, Ruby was a nurse.

In 1953, the family moved to Milwaukee, to a house perched on a bluff above Lake Michigan. Neill loved the lake and the beach, learned to sail, row, swim, and scuba dive. He became a lifeguard and participated in a few rescues. He also attended summer camps, first as a camper and then as a counselor. Camp was his happy place.

Neill graduated from Shorewood HIgh School in 1961 and that fall, rode his bike to Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He majored in Behavioral Psychology (rat psych,), resulting in a lifetime of well-trained cats. He found refuge with the drama students, and was a founding member of the Reformed Druids of North America. In the middle of his college career, a dean suggested Neill take a year off. He took that advice, returned to Milwaukee, and worked for a cleaning service, where he learned to clean windows. Returning to Carleton, Neill graduated in 1967.

He worked for many years as a state employment counselor in Chicago, a job he loved except for the paperwork. He raced his Thistle sailboat, Betsy Ross, in summer and skied in the winter.

In 1980, Neill moved to Durango, Colorado at the invitation of Shaila Van Sickle, who taught at his high school and steered him to Carleton. His early jobs there included frying donuts, managing a convenience store, and trying to sell real estate when mortgage rates were around 16%. He also worked for a cleaning service whose owner was happy to learn that Neill could clean windows! At some point, Neill realized that he didn’t need that man and Ace Window Cleaning was born. His life consisted of cleaning windows and fly fishing—more of the latter. Enough fishing to cause tendonitis in his right elbow. He was a minor legend on the San Juan River in New Mexico, catching and releasing year ‘round.

In an effort to meet more women, Neill joined the Sierra Club, and in 1990, lightning struck! At a statewide retreat, Neill met Donna Loomans of Boulder. They washed some dishes and debated at a seminar. Sparks flew. A long-distance courtship ensued. Donna moved to Durango, and on April 11, 1992, they wed.

Around this time, Neill got serious about his business and succeeded. Sometimes Donna worked with him. He supported her through college and they began chartering sailboats every other year, mostly in the Pacific Northwest, but also in San Francisco, Florida, and Penobscot Bay. At the end of a particularly good week of sailing, Donna said, “l could live this way.” Neill’s eyes lit up! In 2006, they sold their home, bought a 36’ sloop in North Carolina and cruised the east coast from Brunswick, Georgia to Roque Island, Maine, always scouting for good places to live. They found Belfast in 2007 and late in 2008, they moved ashore. They’ve lived in Belfast ever since.

Neill revived Ace Window Cleaning, doing the work he loved until his doctor made him swear off ladders. In a nice pivot, Ace Sharpening sprang up, and he sharpened blades of all kinds at the Camden Farmer’s Market and elsewhere. Appropriate, given his lifelong case of blade lust!

Neill had no children. His parents, brothers and one nephew, Michael, pre-deceased him. He’s survived by four nieces, all above average. He is also survived by his beloved, patient wife, Donna; her brother, Len Loomans and his partner Kim Russell, their son Theo, and a cat named Mark.

At Neill’s request, there will be no service. He was grateful to be able to end his life on his terms, thanks to Maine’s Death with Dignity law.

Neill and Donna are deeply grateful to the people of Waldo County General Hospital, especially the Oncology and Wound Care staff. Thanks also to Gentiva Hospice for weeks of excellent care. And very special thanks to his superlative caregivers, Jessica Moore and Ivy Lobato.

Neill quietly carried some unseen burdens and sorrows; nonetheless, he worked hard and carried on. Please honor him by being kind to those around you.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Neill, please visit our Tree Store.