The Rev. Neale Secor was born in Peekskill, New York in 1934, the son of Allen and Edith Secor. He  received a BA from Drew University in 1956, a JD from the University of Chicago in 1959, and an MDiv. at Union Theological Seminary in 1966. Father Secor was ordained a deacon on June 11, 1966 and a priest on December 10, 1966 by Bishop Horace W.B. Donegan.

Rev. Secor came to the Diocese of Pennsylvania from New York in 1986 where he  had been a civil rights lawyer before ordination, serving as the rector of one of the few truly racially integrated parishes in Manhattan.

Father Secor was the Director of the Seamen's Church Institute from 1985 to 1996. He revolutionized the structure of the organization and made it a powerful force in the port community. Although retired for over 20 years, he had been active and supportive at Saint Luke and The Epiphany and served as the Judge of Elections of Philadelphia from 2009 to 2012.

Rev. Secor was a well-known and strong progressive voice in the Church, especially in support of women's ordination. He was the sponsor/present for Emily Hewitt at her ordination at the first ordination in Philadelphia in 1974.

Father Secor is survived by his partner Ricardo Liriano and his two sons, Jonathan and Tom.

A funeral service is pending.