Stanley Malcolm MacNeil

It is with love filled hearts that we the family announce the peaceful passing of Stanley MacNeil on Wednesday, September 17,2014, age 91 years. Surrounded by his family he died peacefully in Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. Born at home in Mabou on February 2, 1923, he was the eighth child of the late Dr. Alexander and Elizabeth Ann MacNeil. He was also predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Jennie; sister, Anna (Charlie), Alexander( Eileen), John (Catherine), Mary (Doug), Kaye, Donnie (Flora), Francis, Daniel (Margie), Marguerite; nephew, Dougie; son-in-law, Sander; niece, Sandra and granddaughter, Krista. Stanley enjoyed life to the fullest until God called him home. He is survived by his his sister, Teresa Doyle, and brother-in-law, Malcolm Parker. He leaves behind the family he loved, his children, Betty Ann, Genevieve, Alec (Geraldine), Angus (Dale), Alisha (Blair); grandchildren, Max, Kyle (Cheryl), Aaron (Jennifer), Calum (Nicole), Jared (Gillian) and grandson-in-law, David; great-grandchildren, Neil, Colin, Ann, Iain and Kinley.

Stanley dedicated his life to family and community. He was revered where he lived and cherished by his family. He was known affectionately as "Gramps" not only by his grandchildren & great grandchildren but also by all the children in the neighborhood. He made a good living for his family, being a self-starter and hard worker. To quote him, "If I had my life to live over again I would spend more time with my children". In actuality, he set the bar high. Stan was a teller of stories from a vast lifetime of experiences. He was a musician, a writer of tunes notably "Jennie's Waltz", an entertainer and a harmonica player extraordinaire. Stanley had that special sparkle. He was a fixture of Mabou and a lifelong community builder. A member of St. Mary’s Parish, a man of deep faith, with a strong belief in prayer and the Eucharist. Stan was athletic and agile in sports, especially hockey, softball and water skiing. Youthful to the end, as one of the Sisters recently commented "when he comes to the chapel he genuflects better than any teenager."

Visitation will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 20,and on Sunday, September 21 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9, in the vestry of St. Mary's Church with Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 22 at St. Mary's Church, Mabou with Father Angus Morris officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Parish Cemetery Fund or to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society. On-line condolences may be made to www.invernessfuneralhome.com