Edward 'Ed' McNeil
Born In: Glace Bay
Passed on: June 21st, 2014
Edward A. McNeil, age 68, passed away suddenly Saturday evening, June 21, 2014. Known as Ed or Big Ed and Teddy to his siblings, he was born in Glace Bay the son of the late Angus Alphonse ‘Phonse Big Jim” born Bridgeport and Marcella (Price) McNeil, born West Louisbourg, “Old Town”.
Ed was raised in Dominion and was educated in the local schools and MacDonald High School, finishing in 1963. He was a member of Immaculate Conception parish and enjoyed being a member of the men’s choir. Mr. McNeil entered the work force in 1963, working as a labourer in Oakville, Ont. In 1965 he returned to Cape Breton and was employed at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the maintenance department. From 1967 to 1997 Ed was employed with Nova Scotia Power Seaboard Generating Station, Glace Bay.
After retiring Ed was asked to look after Seaboard Generating Station as a private contractor through his company, Emac Industrial Consulting. Ed retired the second time in December 2004 after the demolition of the plant was completed. While working at Seaboard, Ed belonged to IBEW Local 1928.
Ed was a very social person who loved visiting and he enjoyed the company of others.
Ed was a volunteer instructor for five years with the Christopher Leadership Course and for 10 years Ed worked as fund raising chair for the Glace Bay Liberal Association. Being a lifelong Liberal, he always enjoyed talking politics and lively debate.
Music played a big part in Ed’s life. He was a self-taught drummer who played with The Everett Cann Orchestra. He also played occasionally with Gib Whitney and The Acadians when needed. Ed belonged to the Cape Breton Professional Musicians Association Local 355 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. Music was a huge part of the McNeil family. His sister Alice taught piano and played the organ for St. Anthony’s Church, his uncle Chas played the violin and his grandfather “Big Jim” played the french horn and belonged to a band in the late 1890’s. The oldest four grandchildren, Meaghan, Kaitlin, Lauren and Claire are carrying on the musical tradition in the school bands playing the clarinet, french horn, flute and drums. “Papa” was so proud of you! Ed enjoyed all types of music from Mario Lanza, and church music to Jim Reeves and Marty Robbins, his all time favourites. This love of music was also shared among many of Ed’s nieces, nephews and extended family.
Mr. McNeil is survived by his wife of 47 years, Maureen (Burton); their four sons and their families, Evan and Azure (Brown), Calgary, Alta.; Ian and Vickie (Herr), children Hayden and Kiera, Ottawa, Ont.; Mark and Diane (McMullin), children Lauren and Claire, Dominion; Eddie Jr. and Marilyn (Jones), children Meaghan and Kaitlin, Glace Bay; sisters, Ann Tomizcek, Marcella Doyle, Gwen Turnbull (Harvey), Dominion; Rose Eagles (John), Glace Bay; Betty Boutilier, Atikokan, Ont.; Geri (Louie Yates), Glace Bay; brothers, Gary (Donna Warenycia), Glace Bay and Michael (Monica Kennedy) Dominion, numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and his newest friend, his pet Lucy, another Dalmatian.
Besides his parents, Mr. McNeil was predeceased by an infant daughter, his sister, Alice Cann (1994); brothers-in-law, Jack Boutilier (2002); Ray Doyle (2008), Stan Tomizcek (2008); Everett Cann (2013); his aunt and godmother, Anastasia Price Anderson (2013) and his pet and best friend, Vickie, a Dalmatian (2011).
Even in death Ed was still a giving man by joining the Nova Scotia Organ and Tissue Donation Program, his tissues will help some patients in need in the near future.
Family flowers only. Donations made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Mental Health Clinic or Cape Breton Addiction Services would be appreciated.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation for a kind, caring and compassionate man will take place Friday, June 27, 2014 from 7 pm to 9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. The funeral mass will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Bridgeport. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Fr. Leo Boone officiating. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
Online condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
