John 'Jackie' MacNeil
Born In: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Passed on: March 10th, 2013
Jackie MacNeil, 63, passed away on March 10, 2013, at the palliative care unit of the Victoria General Hospital, after a six-year battle with cancer.
Born in Windsor, Ont. and grew up in Big Beach, Cape Breton, Jackie was the second eldest son of the late Angus and Leona MacNeil. Jackie was predeceased by an older brother, Allan J. and three infant sisters.
He is survived by three children, Kinnon, Dartmouth, Logan (Bethany Rains), Spryfield, and Connall, Fall River; one grandchild, Islay. He is also survived by three sisters, Agnes LeLievre, Dartmouth, Mary MacNeil, New Glasgow, P.E.I., Karleen MacNeil, Halifax; two brothers, Stevie (Theresa), Chestermere, Alta., and Donnie (Theresa), Beaver Cove. Jackie had a strong relationship with all of his nieces and nephews who looked up to him as a source of inspiration and a guaranteed laugh. The nieces and nephews include, Iain, Rowan, Kenna, Stephan and Maggie MacLeod, Jonathan and Rebecca LeLievre, Bhreagh, Ainsley, Sheumas and Catriona MacDonald, Ella McDiarmid, Shane MacNeil and Mary Emma and Maggie MacNeil.
Jackie owned and operated a geophysical exploration company for over 30 years which provided employment for many individuals from Cape Breton. This work regularly took him to every region of Canada and also many distant countries including Iran, Libya, Ghana, Brazil, Mexico and Mongolia.
Jackie loved music, especially Celtic, traditional and folk music. He had many friends who either shared that interest or were musicians themselves. He was also a natural entertainer who could bring a smile to anyone's face. Over the years Jackie generously shared his success with those around him. Jackie had many true friends that stayed in close contact regardless where he lived or worked.
A memorial service followed by a reception will be held Friday, March 15th at 2 p.m. at the Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main St., Dartmouth. Interment will occur at Christmas Island Cemetery at a later date.
Donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com, Dartmouth Chapel.
