Obituary of Neil G. McKinnon

It is with sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of Neil Gregory McKinnon, 80, of New Waterford on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at New Waterford Consolidated Hospital. Born in New Waterford, he was a son of the late Neil D. and Anne ‘Nan’ (Hawley) McKinnon. Neil was employed with DEVCO for 33 years working in Nos. 12, 16, 18 and Lingan Mine. He worked as a Hoist Engineer when Lingan began it’s operation. Neil was active with the Army, Navy, Air Force both locally and nationally. He was president of the ANAF Dominion Command in Ottawa and former president of ANAF, Unit 217, New Waterford. Neil was a lifetime honorary member of both the ANAF and the Naval Vets. Over the years, he had received numerous accolades including the Queen’s Golden and Silver Jubilee medals. Neil was also president of the Cape Breton Veteran’s Hospital Comfort Fund for over 10 years; an organization he was very passionate about and proud to represent. In earlier years, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing softball. He also loved making trips to Ingonish; a place very close to his heart. Most of all, he loved being surrounded by family and friends. He will be missed by all. Surviving are his wife, Selena; daughters Kathy (Wayne) MacLellan, Oshawa, Leisa (Rob Cappell), Toronto;stepdaughter, Hope (Ted) Cosgrove, Grand Prairie, Alberta; sons, Tony (Nancy) McKinnon, New Waterford, Sheldon McKinnon, Ingonish, stepson, Tyrone (Betty-Lou) Mickey, Ingonish Beach; sister, Sr. Anne Marie McKinnon, New Waterford; 14 grandchildren, Andrea, Elizabeth, Nick, Blake, Tyler, Ginny, Jessie, Sasha, Shannon, Courtney, Sam, Eric, Mandy, and Yale; 19 great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, Neil was predeceased by his son, William Gregory; stepson, Vince Mickey; brother, Thomas. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Monday, September 26 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Army, Navy, Air Force, Unit 217, New Waterford. Donations in his memory may be made to the Cape Breton Veteran’s Hospital Comfort Fund. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.