Michael’s death occurred January 4 at Cape Breton Regional Hospital following brief Illness. The son of Joseph and Elizabeth (MacAdam) MacNeil, he lived his lifetime in the Johnstown-Irish Cove communities of Cape Breton. He knew everyone for miles around and loved nothing better than to stand in the midst of any who would listen to his latest tale, leaving them with a chuckle; leaving him the most amused of all. Mike was an exceedingly generous people person.
With early education in Johnstown and a wealth of teenage experience supporting the family economy, he managed to combine tending a service station, running a restaurant, and earning real income at the steel plant, with achieving Bachelor of Arts and Education Degrees at St. F.X University. Along the way he met and married Carole Marie McNeil, and settled in Irish Cove. He is survived by his wife and their three children; Dr. Joseph (Jennifer) Pittsburgh; Dr. Douglas (Laurie), Whiteside; and Brenda Grob (Rob), Pickering, ON.
Michael loved his work with the Nova Scotia Department of Education in its creative program of the Adult Vocational Training Centre at Point Edward. Later and until retirement, he served as Vice Principal of Nova Scotia’s Community College, Marconi Campus. Those years of travel over the sixty kilometres between Irish Cove and Sydney fed his solid interest in the lives of virtually all whose homes he observed along the way. If he didn’t know who occupied them, he soon found out who they were, and who their fathers were. Beyond that well-trodden route, Michael and Carole Marie often traveled Nova Scotia’s side roads, always returning with a story Mike would report through chuckles about situations so odd they were generally unnoticed.
As an unceasingly interested and active person in the life of his community, Michael participated as an officer of Nova Scotia’s Credit Unions at the local, regional and national levels; in his local Parish; as a founding member of the Big Pond Fire Department; and, as an easy mark for any organization that promised to foster his neighbor’s wellbeing. For many years, Michael and Carole Marie hosted the annual Irish Cove picnic for family and friends.
For half a century the Irish Cove property was summer territory for his brother Donald, sister-in law Peggy, and their family: Lynn (John), Graham (Elizabeth), Kelly (Mark), and Keri (Steve). Together, children of the two families formed a neighbourhood gathering place beside the lake. As years went on Michael had the pleasure of seeing grandsons Breton, Jeremy, and Eric become fast friends in that same setting with Donald’s grandchildren. Returning to Irish Cove for another summer, one Ontario little fellow exclaimed when he caught first sight of the Bras d’Or Lake: “There’s Uncle Mike’s pool.” In keeping with his solid dedication to family, Michael’s post-retirement role adapted to the progress of Carole Marie’s chronic illness. He devoted himself to ensuring that she received the best possible care at home
Michael was predeceased within recent years by his younger brother, Donald, and older sister, Mary, and brother-in-law, Luke. He is survived by sisters, Teresa and Eleanor; and, by Carole’s siblings Harold (Geraldine), Donald (Susan), and Margie (Michael), and their respective families.
Michael’s family extends thanks and appreciation to all who provided meals and assistance so their parents could continue to live in the community they loved, giving special mention to Cathy Campbell and Laura Wall.
A private funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 am at Sacred Heart Church in Johnstown with Father John Yake officiating. To leave memories & condolences or to view livestream please visit www.twcurry.com. A community memorial service will be held at a later date.
Contributions in memory of Michael may be made to District 10 Fire Department 14799, Hwy 4, Red Islands NS, B0E 3B0; or Big Pond Fire Department, 7193 East Bay Hwy, Big Pond NS, E1S 1V2; or to a charity of one’s choice.
