Obituary for Neal Albert Knoot
It is with profound sadness, we announce that Neal Knoot has passed peacefully from this life after a courageous battle with cancer on August 27, 2021 at the age of 56. Neal was born in Silver Valley in the Peace River area of Northern Alberta in 1964. He grew up on the family farm and learned to respect the outdoors and became an avid hunter and fisherman. He attended NAIT, training as a Forestry Technician, and moved to Slave Lake where he met and married the love of his life, Diane in 1991. Neal had a diverse professional career working primarily with forest resources as a consultant and auditor. He also worked in a variety of roles at mills in Prince George, Hinton and Slave Lake and most recently as the Operations Manager for Vanderwell Contractors. He also trained in a wide variety of occupational health and safety roles and became an instructor in First Aid and chainsaw education. He served on the board of the Lesser Slave Lake Forest Education Society and Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation. He was also a dedicated volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and the Slave Lake Regional Fire Service.
Besides his family, and entertaining friends with feasts and libations, Neal’s greatest
love was to fish year-round, whether it was for walleye, perch or trout in Alberta lakes or salmon and halibut off Canada’s west coast. He was always ready to share his passion and would not only show you how to fish, but bait, catch and clean them!
Neal is predeceased by his father Cornelius (2010) and his brother George (2012). He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Diane and two children, Melissa of Slave Lake and Chad of Grande Prairie; mother Betty Knoot of Silver Valley and brother John (wife Sheila) of Spirit River, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
The family would like to note that since his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer in April, Neal received excellent medical care in several Edmonton hospitals, particularly the Cross Cancer Institute, and Slave Lake Healthcare Centre. The care, kindness, understanding and support provided by the doctors, especially Dr. Martin and Dr.Bourke and nurses during the challenging Covid pandemic were of great support to Neal, his family and friends. The family also thanks the Slave Lake Regional Fire Service who assisted with his recent transport needs on several occasions. Lastly, the love and support exhibited by friends, close family and the staff and management of Vanderwell Contractors over the past two months has been amazing and a great source of joy to Neal in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Neal may be made to the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Fire and Rescue Society, the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Society, National Service Dogs or a charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 3, 2021 at The Gathering Place, #800 6th Avenue NW, Slave Lake followed by a luncheon at the Northern Lakes College Gymnasium, Slave Lake Main Campus, 1201 Main Street SE. Notes of condolences can be emailed to knoot56@shaw.ca.
Neal lived a short but impassioned life, inspiring others by sharing his most loved
memories, vast knowledge, and passions that will be passed down for generations to
come. Neal was a truly humble and kind soul that will be greatly missed by all that were blessed to have known him.
REST IN PEACE OUR FRIEND
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Neal Knoot September 28 1964 August 27 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: SHERWOOD-PARK, Province: Alberta