It is with deep sorrow that we, the family, announce the passing of Joe McNeil, 67, on Monday, May 22, 2017  at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.

Born in New Waterford, he was a son of the late Neil and Meross (Vanderbrook) McNeil.

Joe was a member of the former Mount Carmel Church, currently the Parish Church of St. Leonard. He was a pipefitter by trade but a coal miner at heart. He started his employment as a security guard for the K.C. Irving Company in St. John, NB. He later worked as a pipefitter for various industries, finishing at the Sydney Steel Plant. Joe then went on to work at Lingan and Phalen Mines for approximately 35 years until his retirement in 1999. He truly cherished those years and was proud to call himself a miner. Joe was an avid bingo player and Boston Bruins fan. Most importantly, though, he loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Papa Joe, as the grandkids and soon, most other kids, referred to him, never missed a sporting event or dance recital. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are his loving wife, Sheila (McDonald); children, Catherine Smith (Derrick), Wade McNeil (Ashley), Anita (Jeremy) Forrest, all of New Waterford; brothers, Raymond (Kay), Melvin (Eva), Peter (Mar-Lynn), all of New Waterford; sisters, Diane McNeil, Ban (John) Doyle, both of New Waterford, Rea McNeil, Boston, Mass; six grandchildren, R.J. Smith. Andrew Smith (Brittany Fitzgerald), Emma and Ella McNeil, Hannah and Katie-Jo Forrest; sisters-in-law, Donna McArthur, Rhona Burke, Mary Schrage; brothers-in-law, Dan McDonald, Bryan McDonald, and Earl McDonald; several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by brothers, Malcolm, Eddie and Myles.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2017 from 6-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Friday, May 26 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.