Obituary Overview
Rev. ( COLol. Retd.) Reginald Gregory Mac Neil
MAC NEIL
REV (COL. Retd.) REGINALD
GREGORY
1922-2018
Father Reginald Mac Neil
died on January 31, 2018 at the age of 95 years. He was born in Glace Bay, N.S., the son of
late Michael J. Mac Neil and Mary Margaret O’Keefe. Surviving is his sister Mrs. Patricia Maria
Gallant (David) He is also survived by Colette Lemoine who cared for him during
his retirement years. Two brothers, Rev
Bernard J. Mac Neil of Sydney, N.S. and James O’Keefe Mac Neil of Dorval, Qc
predeceased him. Also surviving are
eight nieces and nephews, twelve grand nieces and nephews and four great grand
nephews.
He is a graduate of St
Ann’s High School, Glace Bay High School and St. F. X. University. After studies at the Holy Heart Seminary in
Halifax he was ordained as a catholic priest in 1948. The first nine years of his ministry were in
Nova-Scotia at Holy Redeemer Parish in Sydney, followed by short terms at
Boisdale, New Glasgow and West Bay.
In 1957 he enlisted as a
Catholic Chaplain in the Royal Canadian Airforce and served in Goose Bay,
Labrador, Comox, B.C., Uplands, Ottawa,
Winnipeg, Man, as well as
Zweibreüken and Lahr in
Germany. He completed his military
service at National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa and retired in 1980 in the
rank of Colonel. In 1984 he was inducted
into St. Francis Xavier University Sports Hall of Fame.
Remaining in Ottawa after
retirement from the military he served as Spiritual Director of the Ottawa
Cursillo Movement for 25 years, assisted at Holy Cross Parish, was Chaplain at
St Joseph’s Junior High School and served at the Army Cadet Camp in Vernon,
B.C. He also assisted at Our Lady of
Fatima for 20 years and during his last years of ministry he served the seniors
at The Westwood Living in Ottawa.
He also continued studies
at St. Paul University in Scripture and Theology, wrote a religion column for
the Ottawa Citizen for eight years and also wrote for Novalis “Living with
Christ”, “Homeletic Service” and the Cursillo News Letter during
the same period.
Friends may pay respects
at Kelly Funeral Home, Carling Chapel, 2313 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K2B
7G3, 613-828-2313 on Friday, February 9, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Funeral will take place
on February 10, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 153 Woodroffe Ave. at 10:30 am. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Ottawa Cursillo
Movement or Shepherds of Good Hope would be appreciated.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rev COL Retd Reginald Gregory Mac Neil 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario