John was the son of the late Joe Allan MacNeil of Iona and Catherine (MacDonald) MacNeil, St. Peter’s. John completed high school in Iona in 1957 and graduated from St F.X. with his education degree in 1961.
For 35 years, John was the Guidance Director-Registrar of the Halifax Vocational High School, a position for which he proved to be well suited and prepared. In this position, John championed the cause of occupational education, carving an impressive record of industrial and business training. He continually improved his education, pursuing several additional degrees.
John was a sensible gentleman and an exceptional judge of character. John’s passions included devotion to his family, spending time at his Cape Breton cottage, and serving his church, always attentive to spiritual issues. He served in various church ministries, a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus, and he was meticulous about maintaining the parish tabernacle candle.
Celtic music and fine cars, which he acquired and dealt away to his Bayview customers, were his hobbies. His car endeavors included helping family and friends with the rigors of car dealings or auto breakdowns. Doug Bethune said it best: “John had a nose for good car flesh”. In music circles, he became close friends with many of the CB greats, including John Allan, Winston, Buddy, Jerry and John Morris. These stars were frequent house guests for lively musical sessions. John was an exemplary bowler in many leagues, where his lucky strike was meeting Sheila.
He is survived by his gracious and talented wife, Sheila (Doré) MacNeil, whom he revered, along with his children Kathy (Glenn) Stone, Dartmouth, and son Joseph, Phoenix, Arizona; nieces Linda (Gerald) Murphy and Wilena (Gerald) Arcand; one nephew, Bill Hamm. He was predeceased by his sister Marguerite Hamm.
Visitation will take place Thursday, July 27th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at J. A. Snows Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr. Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, July 28th, 10:30 am at Saint Benedict Church, 45 Radcliffe Dr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Benedict Parish debt or the Parkinson Canada.
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