Obituary of David Alexander McNeill

It is with sadness that the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren announce the sudden death of David Alexander McNeill of 5 Mountain Road, Saint John, NB on Saturday, October 23rd, 2004. David was the son of the late Daniel McNeill and Christine Daigle. He was born in Jacquet River, NB on March 25th, 1921. He is survived by his seven sons: David, Jr., (Sharon) of Port Perry, Ontario, Ronald (Donna Hogan), Saint John, Father Douglas, Saint John, Daniel, Cambridge, Ontario, Gary (Mary), Quispamsis, Kevin (Donna), Saint John, Michael (Cloe Mullins) of Fredericton and his four daughters: Colleen (Mrs. Preston Swift), Minto; Maureen (Mrs. David Guay) Saint John, Mary (Mrs. Marcel Cloutier); Darlene (Mrs. Michael Gosling) of Dartmouth. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Anita Marie, Kelly Ann, Shane, Corrina, Darren, Natalie, Scott, David, Desiree, Jared, Jenna, Stacey, Christopher, Corey, Michael, Duane, Liam and Emily. As well as great-grandchildren: Marisa, Cassandra, Summer, Stephen, David, Carley, Brittany, Madison and Dylan. He is also survived by his brothers: Daniel of Etobicoke, Ontario, Raymond (Vivian) of Mattawa, Ontario and his sisters: Tess Blanch, Marathon, Ontario and Marion Grendon, Port Severn, Ontario. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years Mary Patricia Kelly on April 13th, 1993, and his brothers James and Walter and grandsons Sean and Ryan. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. David had been employed, until his retirement, as a Carpenter/Maintenance Repairman at St. Joseph's Hospital having been a steady employee for nearly 40 years. He was also employed part time as the Sexton of Stella Maris Church in East Saint John for 30 years. David was well known and respected by the staff and Sisters of St. Joseph's Hospital but also by many young people of Stella Maris as the dedicated bus driver, who drove the familiar blue and white Church School bus along Grandview Avenue, Old Black River Road to Cape Spencer, as they were instructed in the faith by the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement. He was also a veteran of the Second World War, serving with the North Shore Regiment. His faith was a vital part of his life, and he was a former parishioner of Stella Maris and St. Ann's in East Saint John; and most recently of St. Pius X in North End Saint John. He was a former member of the Holy Name Society of Stella Maris and was a fifty year member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Jervis Bay Branch #53. His greatest joy was having his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren around him during holidays and special occasions. He also enjoyed his woodworking and spent countless hours in his workshop during his retirement and donated many items to assist in various foundations, which included AIDS Saint John and the Rocmaura Foundation. Most recently he manufactured hundreds of small crosses that were distributed to his fellow parishioners of St. Pius X and a number of these crosses found their way to the Missions of Guatemala. His legacy of love, respect and dedication lives on in his children grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each of them has in their possession a special treasure, not only the memories of a hardworking, dedicated Father and Grandfather; but also, they possess a piece of his giftedness, through the various items he so carefully crafted. His remains are resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, Paradise Row with visitation on Tuesday and Wednesday 2 ? 4; 7 ? 9. A Vigil Service will be celebrated on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X Church, Somerset Street on Thursday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. The Committal Liturgy will take place at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Immediately following the internment, a reception will be held at St. Pius X Parish Hall. As expressions of sympathy, the family has asked that donations be made to St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary “new chapel fund.” A Legion Service will take place on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.