Obituary of Yorke Maurice MacNeil, Edmonton,New Victoria

We the family of Yorke MacNeil, with broken hearts, are deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of our beloved brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and son on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at the age of 40 in Edmonton, Alberta. Born in New Waterford, he was the son of the late Jimmy 'Jake' and Patricia (MacLellan) MacNeil. Yorke graduated from Breton Education Centre and attended the Marconi Campus of the N.S. Community College and successfully achieved his Red Seal certification as a Pipe-fitter. He was a proud member of the Pipe Fitters and Plumbers union (Locals 682 and 488), working from coast to coast, where he established lifelong and meaningful relationships during his frequent travels. Yorke loved his family, friends and community; he was well known for the size of his heart, his larger-than-life personality and physical stature. His sense of humour, generosity and smile will forever be remembered by countless close friends and family members who loved him dearly. His youthful exuberance was obvious and relatable to all he encountered. He was genuinely a kid at heart, who his Godson Teagan endearingly referred to as Uncle Chewie. Not only because of his size and love of Sci-Fi, but most importantly because he was a kindred spirit who explored life like children do; always without fear and with a sense of discovery. We will miss you dear brother and shed tears that you have left us far too soon but must also remember to smile because you lived. Yorke is survived by his brother, Kyle MacNeil; his sister, Heidi MacNeil; his nieces, Molly Muise and Shae MacNeil; his nephew and Godson Teagan MacNeil; his sister-in-law, Margaret-Anne MacKinnon and his girlfriend Caitlyn Hay. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Yorke was predeceased by his parents, Jimmy 'Jake' and Patricia (MacLellan) MacNeil; his brother, James Jeffrey MacNeil in infancy; his grandparents, George 'Pink' and Annie (Tighe) MacNeil and Joe and Elizabeth (Burt) MacLellan. Cremation will take place in Edmonton, Alberta, under the direction of Simply Cremations and Funeral Services where a private prayer service will be held by Father Jim Corrigan. A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Victoria, with Father Ray Huntley officiating. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford. A celebration of Yorke's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.