DONALD ELLIS NEVILLE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DONALD ELLIS NEVILLE The family of Donald Ellis Neville are sad to announce his death on Sunday, July 11, 2004 after a devastating illness. He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved son, Andrew Neville; mother Betty Neville; brother Bob Neville; nephew and niece, Jeff and Beth Neville. His father, W.A. (Bill) Neville, predeceased him in 1993. Don was a Winnipegger, born on October 16, 1946 and raised in Fort Garry. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1969 with a B.A. in Economics but frequently declared that his incessant card playing in the basement of University College really gave him a major in Hearts. After graduation, he worked for a short time with the Campbell Soup Co. in Portage la Prairie. However, life in a large corporation was not for him, and he left to start a business in Winnipeg. For many years he provided unique service to his customers, who inevitably became his friends. Don, a longtime member of the Opimium Society, was for many years the area secretary and built its membership in Manitoba up from a handful in the early 1970s to several 100 by the time he stepped down. Don often organized entertaining wine tastings and participated in wine tasting competitions, often winning and representing Manitoba regionally and nationally. Don loved the Arts and was a longtime patron of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Site Gallery and recently the Mayberry Gallery. Over the years he had acquired a small but impressive collection of contemporary prairie artists, a collection that always gave him considerable enjoyment. An old hippie, Don had rock and roll and folk music in his blood and passed his love of this music on to his son, Andrew. The Winnipeg Folk Festival was a significant event for him, rain or shine. Don also loved the local theatre scene, and the Fringe Festival, too, was an event he looked forward to each summer. Don Neville lived his life with vitality and exuberance. In the words of Leonard Cohen, "he tried, in his way, to be free.". Don filled the lives of all who knew him with intelligence, wit, humour and creativity. He was a loving father, son, brother and uncle. He was a stalwart and affectionate friend, and he will be greatly missed. Dons family would like to thank his physician and friend, Dr. Nene Rush; his specialist, Dr. Glen Drobot and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their compassionate care during his long illness. Dons family gratefully decline flowers, however, a donation in Dons name to the Winnipeg Folk Festival or the Fringe Festival would be much appreciated. Friends of the family can celebrate Dons life at the Site Gallery, 2nd Flr., 55 Arthur St. from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 26. Please wear an outrageous Don Neville-type tie in his honour.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 18, 2004