FR. REGINALD MACNEIL
Born In: GLACE BAY, Nova Scotia
Passed on: January 31st, 2018
Father Reginald Mac Neil died on January 31, 2018 at the age of 95 years.
He was born in Glace Bay, N.S., the son of late Michael J. Mac Neil and Mary Margaret O'Keefe.
Surviving is his sister, Mrs. Patricia Maria Gallant (David). He is also survived by Colette Lemoine who cared for him during his retirement years. Two brothers, Rev Bernard J. Mac Neil of Sydney, N.S. and James O'Keefe Mac Neil of Dorval, Qc predeceased him. Also surviving are eight nieces and nephews, twelve grandnieces and nephews and four great- grandnephews.
He is a graduate of St Ann's High School, Glace Bay High School and St. F. X. University. After studies at the Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax he was ordained as a catholic priest in 1948. The first nine years of his ministry were in Nova-Scotia at Holy Redeemer Parish in Sydney, followed by short terms at Boisdale, New Glasgow and West Bay.
In 1957 he enlisted as a Catholic Chaplain in the Royal Canadian Airforce and served in Goose Bay, Labrador, Comox, B.C., Uplands, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Man, as well as Zweibreüken and Lahr in Germany. He completed his military service at National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa and retired in 1980 in the rank of Colonel. In 1984 he was inducted into St. Francis Xavier University Sports Hall of Fame. Remaining in Ottawa after retirement from the military he served as Spiritual Director of the Ottawa Cursillo Movement for 25 years, assisted at Holy Cross Parish, was Chaplain at St Joseph's Junior High School and served at the Army Cadet Camp in Vernon, B.C. He also assisted at Our Lady of Fatima for 20 years and during his last years of ministry he served the seniors at The Westwood Living in Ottawa. He also continued studies at St. Paul University in Scripture and Theology, wrote a religion column for the Ottawa Citizen for eight years and also wrote for Novalis "Living with Christ", "Homeletic Service" and the Cursillo News Letter during the same period.
Friends may pay respects at Kelly Funeral Home, Carling Chapel, 2313 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON, K2B 7G3, 613-828-2313 on Friday, February 9, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Funeral will take place on February 10, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 153 Woodroffe Ave. at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Ottawa Cursillo Movement or Shepherds of Good Hope would be appreciated.
