NEIL JAMES MacKAY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

NEIL JAMES MacKAY Neil passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, on February 9, 2004 at Deer Lodge Centre. Neil was born in 1916 in Moose Jaw, SK. He was predeceased by his parents, Neil and Susan; brothers, Murdoch and Colin; sister, Agnes; first wife, Beatrice and daughter, Dawn Klaassan (Brodie). He is survived by his wife, Alice; children, Murray (Carol), Colleen (Phil Mewett), Kim (Bill Terry), Shannon, and Rob (Brianne) and grandchildren, Jennifer and Cameron MacKay; Ryan, Chris, Jeffrey, and Chelsea Mewett; Daniel, Robyn, and Shaun Brodie; Bob, Matthew, and Megan Terry; and Robbie, Amanda, and Austin MacKay. As a young man Neil was a school teacher, an R.C.M.P. officer and a member of the Air Force. Following the Second World War, he began a career in sales and was soon hired as Western Canadas factory representative for the Findlay Stove and Appliance Company. During this period, Neil and his first wife Beatrice made their home in Riverview where they raised their six children. With the close of the Findlay factory in 1972, Neil took a position with an appliance wholesaler in Vancouver where he worked until 1984. This separation from Beatrice had led inevitably to divorce; but early in his retirement, during a round of golf, he met Alice Horne. Neil and Alice married in 1989 and built a wonderful ocean front home on the Sunshine Coast. In the decade that followed, they enjoyed cruises to Alaska and Hawaii, visits to children in Florida, Texas, California and Manitoba, and especially hosting friends and family in their home at Half Moon Bay, BC. In the final year of his life, Neils Alzheimers required that he reside in a personal care home; in order that his family could visit and care for him, Murray brought him home, from British Columbia to the Dear Lodge Centre in Winnipeg. Neil took life as it came, with an understated energy and quiet wit. He is loved and missed. Neil was cremated, Thursday, February 12. A memorial service was conducted by Glen Horst at Murray and Carols home in Winnipeg on February 14, Our special thanks to Glen Horst for his thoughtfulness. In accordance with Neils wishes he will be buried with his parents and brother, Colin, in Burnaby, BC, this July. Our thanks to the staff of Deer Lodge Centres Tower 3 for the loving care they provided our father.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 21, 2004