John Bosco MacNeil
Lieu de naissance : Glace Bay
Date de décès : 28 mars 2013
We, the family of John B. MacNeil, regretfully announce his untimely passing on Thursday, March 28, 2013, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at the Glace Bay Hospital.
He was born in Glace Bay on July 21, 1934, the son of the late John (Jack) and Thecla (Pitts) MacNeil.
Da enlisted in the Canadian Military as a teenager in 1950, and joined the RCR, RCA, as a gunner in the Korean War. He was extremely proud of his service to the United Nations Mission and to the people of Korea. He was awarded the UN Korean Medal as well as the NATO Medal. At the conclusion of the war, he moved to the Infantry and continued his enlistment in various bases in North America and Continental Europe until his honourable discharge in 1964. Soon after returning to Glace Bay, he began employment as an underground coal miner with the Dominion Coal Company until his retirement from Devco in 1990.
The mid 90s saw Da involved in the Royal Canadian Legion, where in 1998 he was elected president and service officer of Branch 003, John Bernard Croak V.C., in Glace Bay. He worked tirelessly in assisting other veterans and their spouses to access programs and services, resulting, in many cases, in significant improvement in their lives. He did not hesitate to call out a politician or public servant in the best interests of his fellow veterans.
He was the longest serving president of Branch 003, until ill health forced him not to re-offer in 2008. For his dedication and hard work, Da was awarded the highest honour of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Meritorious Service Medal, in 2007. During this time, Da was also elected president of the Korea Veterans Association, Ceilidh Branch, which he joined in 2006, and received the Governor General Golden Jubilee Award.
Da loved his computer and over the years garnered many online friends from as far away as Australia. His contact list measured in the hundreds, and his daily emails became a staple in the lives of many. He also enjoyed sports and was a passionate, life long fan of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Da will be sadly missed by his daughters, Cheryl (Ron) Kanary, Donna (Bernie) Macleod; sons, Paddy (Anne) and Shawn (Carolee), all of Glace Bay. Papa B will forever remain in the hearts of his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Da also leaves behind his sister, Claire MacNeil, Glace Bay; and brother, John C., London, Ont.
Besides his parents, Da was predeceased by his loving wife of 40 years, Shirley (Petrie), sisters, Betty, Mary Anne, and Mary Flo, and brothers, Joe, Maurice, Ninian, AJ, and Jimmy. Also in remembrance, his dear friend Madeline Adshade.
The family are honouring his wishes. There will be no visitation. Cremation will take place under the care and guidance of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m., Thursday, April 4, 2013, at St. Anne’s Church, Glace Bay, with Fr. Leo Boone officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. A luncheon will be held in the church foyer.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Lung Association.
Online condolences to the MacNeil family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
