Gerald \'Gerry\' MacNeil
Born In: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: October 21st, 1961
Passed in: SYDNEY, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: April 21st, 2009
It is with immense sadness and a broken heart; I announce the passing of my true love, my soul mate and best friend - Gerald James MacNeil after a courageous fourteen month battle with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Gerald was born on October 21, 1961 to Jerry and Louise (Gillis) MacNeil of Lorne Street, Sydney.
He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Winnie (Boutilier) and their two children, Jerry (16) and Megan (13). Others left to mourn are his three sisters, Andre MacNeil, Brenda (Kevin) Coleman and Michelle (Donald) MacDonald; his in-laws, Henry and Joyce Boutilier, Henry (Cynthia) Boutilier, Gail (Robert) Sheppard, Barbara Jean (Billy) Gillis, Edison (Colleen) Boutilier, Anita (Lewis) Boutilier, April (Ken) Ferguson, Darryl (Heather) Boutilier and many nieces and nephews.
Gerald graduated from Sydney Academy in 1980. He attended the College of Cape Breton and graduated in 1985 with a business degree. Gerald worked for Ford Credit. He was a finance manager for Scotia Chrysler; credit manager for Irving Oil; owner/operator of Swensens Ice Cream Parlour/Restaurant and for the past 18 years was an auditor with Revenue Canada. In his youth, he was a paper carrier.
Gerald was a well-liked gentleman with an easy-going nature. A sports enthusiast, Gerald loved basketball (in particular, the Boston Celtics), golfing, curling, and cycling. Gerald played basketball for the Capers and coached various basketball teams. He especially enjoyed coaching his son at Malcolm Munroe and the Riverview Raptors. Gerald enjoyed watching TV, dining at the Bonnie Prince, cooking, Christmas, and landscaping.
His greatest joys in life were his children, Jerry and Megan, of whom he was very proud.
Gerald was a devout Catholic who was not afraid of dying-he just wanted to live for his family. He enjoyed spending summers at the bungalow in Northside East Bay; horseshoes, sailing the Bras d’Or Lakes and barbecuing. He was proud of his MacNeil heritage. He was also proud to be a Cape Bretoner and enjoyed talking to many people he met throughout the island during his work.
He will be sadly missed by his many aunts and uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by his grandparents; by uncles, Bernie and Carl; by cousins, Laura, John David and Brian and niece, Lynda.
The family would like to acknowledge the excellent care, compassion, and professionalism given to Gerald during his illness by Dr. Elwood McMullin; Dr. Chantal Beaulieu; Dr. Mohamed Hussein; Dr. Nebojsa Sparavello (QEII); and Dr. Mark Sampson.
Gerald will always be remembered as a kind and gentle person, a proud and devoted father, a wonderful and loving husband and friend.
Visitation for Gerald MacNeil will take place from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Anthony O’Connor officiating. Interment to follow at St. Mary Parish Cemetery, East Bay.
Condolences may be forwarded to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www.mem.com.
Donations may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Cancer Centre.
“Death is but a transition from this life to another existence where there is no more pain and anguish.â€-Elisabeth Kübler Ross, M.D.
