Obituary of Stephen Joseph MacNeil, River Ryan

It is with sadness and broken hearts that we, the family, announce the passing of Stephen MacNeil on March 9, 2020 at home where he was recovering from an operation. Born in Glace Bay, he was a son of the late Murdock and Cecilia (Gouthro) MacNeil. Stephen worked for many years on the railroad and his last few years before retirement, he worked at the Coke Ovens in Sydney. He was a devout Catholic and was active in the church. Steve was an avid skater and spent many hours skating with Carole on the rinks of Cape Breton. He was quite a photographer and was at every family event snapping pictures and making family memories for everyone. He loved to watch his hockey games, especially when his beloved Maple Leafs were winning. Steve loved to play darts and he became known as 'One Dart Steve'. He loved his weekly family card game playing Newfoundland Bingo, but his greatest love of all was his Thursday and Sunday evenings playing bingo at the Army, Navy, Airforce, Unit 217 in New Waterford. Stephen is survived by his partner, Carole Carrigan; sons, Stephen (Kelsey), Jackie (Kait); stepchildren, Julie (Billie), Derrick (Melissa), Kim Carrigan, Dan (Kim) Caines; step-grandchildren, Kirsten, Brooklyn, Shane, Brandon, Kayla, Emily, Nicholas and great-grandson, Thomas; sisters, Joanne (Jimmy) Milley, Sue Blois, Doris Lee, Betty (George) MacKinnon; brothers, Roddie, Hector, Vincent (Donelda); many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Stephen was predeceased by his first wife, Linda (Somerton) MacNeil; sisters, Sadie Francis in infancy, Marie Walsh, Theresa Gouthro, Margaret Gouthro; brother, John A, (Jackie) MacNeil; brothers-in-law, Arthur 'Buddy' Lee, John T. 'Bunny' Gouthro, James Walsh, Charles Gouthro, Junior Blois, and sister-in-law, Mary MacNeil. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in V. J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A Funeral Mass of celebration will take place on Saturday, March 14 at 1 p.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Ray Huntley officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery at a later date. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.