Obituary of Joseph Seward MacNeil, Glace Bay

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Seward MacNeil on Wednesday, August 12th in Sydney, N.S., at the age of 89. Born in Reserve Mines, May 13th, 1931, one of 6 siblings, Joe grew up quickly once his father went to War, and he became the man of the house. After High School he briefly worked at the Sydney Steel plant. Following their marriage in 1953, and the birth of their daughter Joanne, Joe and Val moved to Torrance, California, where he worked for Bethlehem Steel. Their son Joey, and youngest daughter Mary, were born while in the US, and the family returned to Glace Bay in 1967, where Joe and Val have resided since. Joe worked at the Heavy Water Plant, the AVTC, and finally at UCCB, until his retirement in 1996. With a keen intellect and an even keel, Joe was a story-teller, a history buff, a conservative, and a faithful Catholic. A natural athlete, he was always up for a swim at Dominion beach, enjoyed playing soccer while living in California, took up tennis in his later years, and he and Val continued skating together ‘the Cape Breton way’ until only a few years ago. He enjoyed painting, using his Rollie to take photographs, and tinkering on his two vintage BMW motorbikes in the garage. Joe could start up a conversation with anyone – his thoughtful perspective, dry sense of humour, and counsel will be missed. Above all, he was a devoted husband, and a generous and inspirational father. Joe is survived by his wife, Valerie (Slanco) MacNeil, daughter, Mary (Steve), Halifax, son, Joey, Glace Bay, brother, Donald (Terry), St. Catharines, grandchildren, Christie (Tim), Halifax, Danielle (Roughan), Pickering, Ont., Darren, Calgary, Danielle and Nicole, along with great-grandchildren, Leah, Camden, Ivy Jo and James. He was predeceased by his parents, (Joe G, Annie), brothers, Freddie, Johnny, James (Shirley), sister, Muriel (John Simpkin), and daughter, Joanne (Kevin Blades). A special thank you to Dr. James MacLean, the staff at Taigh Na Mara, Rev. A.J. MacGillivray and the Nurses and Physicians on the Palliative Care unit at CBRH. Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. A service will be held at a future date. Online condolences may be sent to: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Glace Bay Hospital Foundation, at gbhf.ca.