Boisdale
James 'Jamie' Anthony MacNeil, a long time resident of Boisdale, Cape Breton, died peacefully in the early morning of September 16th, 2019 at Harbourstone Extended Care in Sydney.
He was born on January 16th, 1929 in Barra Glen, to John Dan and Annie Catherine MacNeil (MacNeil). He grew up working on his family farm before joining the RCAF where he was stationed in various locations in Canada and France, working as an Electronics Technician for 21 years. He returned to Cape Breton with his wife and eight children where he worked at the Sydney Steel Plant until he retired in 1989.
Upon return to Cape Breton he immersed himself in his passion for the Gaelic culture. He learned to speak fluently and became a well-known figure of the Gaelic community. He was a member of the Iona Gaelic Singers and the Cape Breton Gaelic Society. He loved Cape Breton for its beautiful scenery and traditional music.
He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Louise (MacNeil), his children; Maureen (Axel), Glenda, Cathy (Martin), Maura (Albert), Patty (Jamie), Barry (Louise), Andra (Mario), and Janet (Frank); his grandchildren, Carla (Brian), Alana (Phillip), Dayna (Robert), Rudy, Jory, Andy, Erinn, Charlotte, Innis and his great grandchildren, Rowyn, Ciara, Lochlin, Avery and Arlo, as well as his brother, Joe and sister Marie (Ron), sister-in-law Colleen and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by brothers Rod C. (Helen) and Mendal; sisters, Annie (Cyril), Monica, Theresa and Mary Louise (John Anthony) and sister-in-law Alice.
Visitation will be held at T. W. Curry Parkview Chapel, Wednesday, September 18th from 4-8pm. The funeral mass will be held on Thursday, September 19th at 1pm at St. Andrew’s Church in Boisdale with Father Vargheese and Fr. Francis officiating. A reception will follow at the Boisdale Fire Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia or Feis An Eilean, PO Box 317, Christmas Island NS, B1T 1R7.
Thank you to Parkland for their care and support, to Harbourstone for their compassion in his last days, and especially to Rita from Home Instead for being a caring friend in his final years.
“Gus am bris an latha agus an teich na sgàilean”
To leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.twcurry.com
