John was born in Glace Bay with roots in Big Pond. He was recently predeceased by his wife of 64 years Maurina (Bates), also predeceased by his parents Annie (MacIntyre) and John Angus MacNeil as well as 3 sisters Shirley (Reggie Bennet), Audrey (Ted Ryan) and Patricia (Reg O'Neill). He is survived by his sister Cathy Marco, Los Angeles, 5 children , Rosemarie (Thomas) Dormon, Hastings ON, Derrick (Trish) Dartmouth NS, Owen (Denise) Moncton NB, Gerald (Sandra) Dartmouth NS & Karen (Gary) Lewis , of Howie Centre NS, 12 grandchildren, Adrian Dormon, Rachel Dormon, Marie Morrison, Angela MacNeil, Amanda Rattie, Ryan MacNeil, Brandon MacNeil, Shea MacNeil, Corey MacNeil, Nicole MacNeil, Jeffery Lewis, Allyson Lewis, 15 great grandchildren, and very special friend Connie Jennings.
John was quite active throughout his life having travelled extensively throughout Europe in his early years with the Canadian Armed Forces, Air Force Division. He also spent a few years in Montreal and the Canadian Arctic working with RCA & Bell maintaining the Canadian DEW Line. He came back to the Maritimes working with IBM starting a 35 year career where he called Saint John and Fredericton home at times and eventually settling back in Sydney River in 1974. John and Maurina opened MacNeil’s variety on Kings Road and operated this store up until their move to Howie Centre in 1979. In 1989 they moved to Northside East Bay for 22 years enjoying life on the water. In 2011 they moved back to Howie Centre.
John retired from IBM in 1992 and quickly filled his time in the winter with skating and playing pool and in the summer with golf. A member of Seaview Golf Club for over 30 years he welcomed the opportunity to play with new people and made many great friends. With his electronics background he repaired many electronic caddies. In retirement an annual highlight was playing in the MacNeil Golf Classic with his 3 sons and later in years enjoying a trip south almost annually for an extra week of golf, fun and poker. He may still be counting his winnings. As well, his 2 daughters (his angels) were continuously available to pamper him at home and at their homes as often as possible where he enjoyed every minute of that.
At 88 he was still practicing his guitar and taking lessons and would think nothing of loading up new computers, texting his children or grandchildren or joining a Zoom call. In the golf "off season" he could be found at Branch 12 Royal Canadian Legion playing pool with his buddies.
He will be dearly missed as a great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend, coach and mentor to many.
Donations may be directed to Alzheimer’s Society, Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of one’s own choice.
Grief is like an ocean, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim. In life, we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place, no one else will ever fill. Rest in peace Dad.
Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, September 4 at Our Lady of Fatima in Sydney River with Fr. Patrick O'Neill officiating. Memories and condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
