Neil Provido Blanca, age 53, of Winnipeg Manitoba passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023.
Neil was born on August 4th, 1969 to parents Necias (Bob) and Marietta Blanca in Manilla Philippines. He moved to Canada in the year 1972 where he lived with family and started to grow a life here. He grew up in the Transcona area and graduated from Murdoch MacKay Collegiate. Neil started his family in 1993 and had three children Cash Patrick, Casey Dylan, and Paige Madison with their mother Shirley.
Neil had a very caring heart and dedicated a large portion of his life to fostering children. He was able to make an impact and difference on the many lives that were lucky to have him as a foster parent. Neil also had a deep passion for sports. It is difficult to name a sport that he did not play at one point in his life. Tennis, basketball, hockey, martial arts, soccer, and badminton, to name a few and also ran a store called “Sports Stuff”. Neil had a very artistic eye and created some wonderful art pieces that he displayed proudly in his home. He was a man of many talents and those talents shine through in all three of his children.
Neil and family were the founding members of the Manitoba Magic Basketball program. This program has helped shape so many amazing basketball players over the many years. He was a driving force to growing a thriving club basketball community in Manitoba that continues to benefit from his dedication throughout the years. Starting with one boys’ team that traveled to Minneapolis for a basketball tournament eventually expanded over 20 years later, having 15-20 teams across boy and girls’ basketball. Not only was he a great inspiration for many players, but a mentor for the coaches in today's program. Neil also helped coaching basketball at Sargent Park Junior High, Oak Park High School and many teams in the Filipino community.
For those of you that knew Neil he was a very interesting individual full of little quirks. He had a huge heart and cared deeply about those around him. He didn’t speak up often, but when he did you knew it would be something worth listening to. His bad jokes will live on for many years as all three of his children developed a very similar sense of humor. “Hay Boii” will forever live on.
Neil was predeceased by his mother Marietta, Aunt Nelda, Aunt Edith, Aunt Ninaf, Uncle Jerry, and Grandparents Jeremias Provido Sr and Adelida Provido. He is survived by his father Necias (better known as Bob) (Lenore), and sister Marnie. His children; Cash (Joanne), Casey, and Paige (Justin) and grandchild; Isla Mae, and previous wife; Shirley. His cousins; Wendell (Melanie), Sherrisse (Jeremy) and Jerilyn (Hector). His Aunts and Uncles; Aurora, Cheryl, Emma (Ricardo) Abono and Ildefonso (better known as Uncle Oting). Other close family members; Khyla, Enya, Emma Leigh Faith, Lucas, Ruby, Katrina (Julian) and his father Val, Joehel and Raesec Blanca in Vancouver, Aesha Fabrigar in Orlando, Abraham Blanca Jr. in Chicago and numerous cousins in the Philippines and States. And of course, his dogs; Addi and Volf.
A visitation for Neil will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Highway 1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba. A prayer will occur Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 6:30 PM. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 710 Roanoke Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Internment and reception to follow at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Highway 1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresfuneralhome.com for the Blanca family.
