MCNEILL, Edward Vincent
Peacefully, at St. Joseph’s Hospice, Sarnia, Ont., surrounded by his family, on Sept. 17, 2013, at the age of 86. Beloved husband of Wilma ( Jenkins) for 60 years. Loving father to Carmen McCracken, Richmond, B. C.; Lonnie McNeill ( Faith), Church Point, N. S.; Timothy McNeill ( Caroline), Sarnia; Paula Vanderburg ( Gary), Sarnia; Nancy Sonier ( Glenn), Corunna. Proud grandfather of Craig McCracken, Joanna Barker and Jennifer McCrackenChan ( Dean), all of Richmond, B. C.; Derek, Dominique, Garret and Samuel McNeill, all of N. S.; Tyler and Jessica McNeill, both of Coldstream, B. C.; Elizabeth Murphy ( Richard), Corunna; Christina Ward ( Rob), Corunna, Chantal Sonier, ( Tyler Taylor), Sarnia; Daniel Sonier, Sarnia; Christopher Sonier, Toronto; Veronica Daye ( Jordan), Mooretown; Jacob, Justine and Mary Frances Sonier, all of Corunna. Great- grandfather of Everett and Marilyn Chan, Richmond, B. C.; Noah and Ava Murphy, Corunna; Ella, James and Leah Ward, Corunna; Lily, Maximus and Callum Taylor, Sarnia. Survived by siblings Margaret Cooke, Dr. Hubert McNeill ( Christine), Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and Dorothy McNeill, Toronto, and sisters- in- law Monica and Florence McNeill, Summerside, P. E. I. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Edward was predeceased by his parents Daniel and Pearl ( Tamlyn) and brothers Francis, Ronald, John, Tanton and Gerald McNeill, sisters Gertrude Mullins, Pearl Murphy and Anita Manion, his son- in- law Joseph McCracken, and Irwin Barker, husband of granddaughter Joanna Barker. Edward grew up in Summerside, P. E. I., the third youngest of 12 children. After graduating from St. Dunstan’s University in Charlottetown with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served with distinction for over 23 years as a navigator on the Lancaster, Neptune and Argus, achieving the rank of Captain. After his retirement, he served for several years as Commanding Officer for the Air Cadets at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, and CFB Penhold, Alta. At the age of 45, Edward embarked on a second career as an elementary school teacher. He taught for 20 years at Sacred Heart and St. Helen’s Schools, where he was respected and loved by his students for his gentle demeanor and endearing sense of humor. He was told countless times since his retirement that he was, indeed, the favorite teacher for so many of his students. Ed was a passionate golfer, being extremely proud of achieving a hole- in- one three times. Edward was devoted to his wife Wilma, his best friend and soul mate, since their marriage on October 24, 1953. He will be sadly missed and forever loved by Wilma, his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Friends will be received at the McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 431. N. Christina St., Sarnia, on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, from 2- 4 and 7- 9 p. m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Vince Gulikers at Sacred Heart Church, on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at 1: 30 p. m. Interment Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to St. Joseph’s Hospice, 475 N. Christina St., Sarnia N7T 5W3. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www. mckenzieblundy. com. A tree will be planted in memory of Ed McNeill in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, at 2 p. m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.