Dr. Kenneth Neil Munro DDS, dip. Ortho, RCDSO

Neil passed peacefully on July 28, 2020 at Southlake Regional Health Centre at age 89. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara, proud children Marilou (Peter), Steve (Shari), and Drew (Susan), Barbara’s children Debbie (Mark) and Richard (Andrea). Neil was a loving and devoted grandfather to Catherine (Greg), Michael, Thomas, Katelyn, Andrew, and Matthew; step-grandfather to Devin, Lindsay, Riley, and Aiden. He is lovingly remembered by his cherished sister Carol (Michael) and uncle to Mark (Helen) and Rob (Jen). Neil was predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Marion, his former wife Bobbie, and many dear friends.

Neil was born July 27, 1931 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Lawrence Park, Toronto. He attended high school at Lawrence Park Collegiate and his postsecondary education at the University of Toronto, School of Dentistry. Neil served in the Canadian Army for several years as a dentist and spent part of that time stationed in the Middle East. After fulfilling his service in the military, Neil completed his education, specializing in Orthodontics (University of Toronto), and carried on a private practice in Willowdale for forty-five years. He was also on staff throughout his professional career in the dental department at the former Ontario Crippled Children's Center, now Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where he specialized in the treatment of children with cleft palates. He regularly traveled to Northern Ontario to assess and treat Indigenous children. In the evenings, Neil worked tirelessly as the editor of the Journal of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA)/Ontario Dentist. Under his editorial leadership, the journal received international recognition.

Neil was also an avid historian (member of The Churchill Society), reader, boater, downhill skier, outdoorsman. For 55 years he hunted and fished annually throughout Ontario with his university classmates and lifelong friends Joe Fleming, Al Taylor, Gord Marshall and Don Chun. As retirement approached and always wanting to produce something with his talented hands, Neil developed a keen interest in carving wooden decoys. Over the years he carved many beautiful ducks, loons and other assorted birds.

In retirement Neil’s love of writing continued. He co-wrote the Echoes of Six-Mile Lake, an award winning historical perspective of the lake he loved so much. His greatest passion was for the family cottage on Six Mile Lake, which was purchased as a meager cabin in 1967. Neil continually worked to build and create what would become the center of family life and gatherings every summer. Neil could always be found ‘puttering around’ the property and acted as Vice-President of the Six-Mile Lake Cottager’s Association for many years. He was fortunate to spend his very last days at his beloved family cottage. Neil was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by his immediate and extended family, many friends, and associates.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday August 17, 2020 at Blessed Trinity parish 3220 Bayview Avenue, North York. A celebration of Neil’s life will be held for family and friends at a date to be announced later.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation in Neil’s memory to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital or your favourite charity.