Sydney
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Gerard ‘Junior’ MacNeil, age 60, on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born in Sydney on September 27, 1958, Gerard was the son of the late Michael John and Mary Sarah MacNeil.
Gerard was employed as a bartender for over 20 years. At the time of his death he was employed as a dispatcher and driver for Dynasty Cabs. He was a long-time member of the Cape Breton Horsemen Association and was a driver and owner of race horses. He was an avid curler and tarbish player. Gerard enjoyed and loved meeting with his many friends.
Gerard is survived by his sisters, Jane (Ted) Mills and Marlene (the late Sheldon Pearson); brothers, Allan (Sadie), Joey (the late Brenda ‘ Bunny’ ), Michael (Lorna), Bernie (Aileen), Reg (Theresa), Leonard (Louise) and Gordie (Michelle); as well as several loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and his beloved dog, Rascal.
Besides his parents, Gerard was predeceased by his nephew, Gary Mills.
As per Gerard’s request, cremation has taken place. Visitation for the late Gerard MacNeil will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019, from 4-7 p.m. in the Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street).
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2019, in St. Theresa’s Church, Sydney with Fr. Dennis Lamey officiating. Following the Mass, a reception will be held in St. Theresa’s Hall.
Donations in memory of Gerard may be made to the Cancer Patient Care Fund or the SPCA Cape Breton.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Gerard was such a kind and loving man who shared love in so many ways. He was a great godfather to all his nieces and nephews who often called upon him.
“Rest in Peace Uncle G.”
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God bless you Gerard. We always enjoyed seeing you at the games in Marion Bridge, sometimes at East Bay and Big Pond too.
“May the King and Queen of Heaven
Welcome you into their arms
And offer you a Tarabish hand
The very best by far,
Where you always get a Bella
A winner every time
In thanksgiving for your kindness shared
And your handsome Gerald smile.”
May you Rest In Peace and may your siblings and families find comfort in the love, presence and prayers of family and friends. Love & prayers for you all, Ivan & Viola Doncaster, East Bay.
From: Ivan & Viola Doncaster
Gerard was sweetness and light. I am so sorry he left us too soon.
From: Rose Gillis
Junior and I met when we were 5, and knew each other since then, many many great memories, he would do anything for anybody, he did for me, one nice memory I have happened just before Christmas 1988, my daughter was sick and in hospital so asked Gerard to be Santa and visit her to cheer her up, of course he did, but he didn’t stop there, he visited all the sick children in the old City Hospital that night too, giving out candy canes and treats, but that was Junior. Rest In Peace my friend rest easy..,
From: Neil MacNeil
Marlene and Family,
My deepest Condolence to all of Gerard’s Family. He was a fun guy, always a great laugh when he was around. He will be greatly missed by all. Xo
From: Colette Gillis
Gerard was always our “taxi driver” from wherever when we are home..
RIP Gerard
Condolences to the family.
From: Evelyn (Currie) Ferguson..Orangeville,Ont.
So sorry for your loss, Gerard was an awesome fellow. May Gerard Rest In Peace.
From: Mike and Debbie Snow
So sorry to hear the passing of a good friend . May you RIP Junior fly high my friend .
From: Barry Long
To The MacNeil Family Sorry To Hear Of Your Loss You Are In Our Thoughts and Prayers .
From: Dave MacKeigan And Debbie MacIvor.
To the MacNeil family
We are so sorry to learn of Gerard’s passing. He was a great Ashby guy who was kind to everyone.
Thinking of you during this sad time.
From: Dan and Donna MacRury
I am so sorry for your loss. May God’s Word, the Bible, prayer and your precious memories help to comfort you during this difficult time. (Revelation 21:3-5; Psalms 34:18, 19.)
From: Nicole
We were saddened to hear of Gerard’s untimely passing. We will always remember him with a smile,a hearty laugh and a joke for everyone. We are sure He will be missed by many, especially his close knit family. Our deepest condolences .
From: Linda Penney and Allan Black
I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful person. I am sending Condolences to the family from the MacQueen girls. We had so many wonderful times growing up in Ashby, knowing your family was a real blessing, one we will never forget. Hugs to all, wish we could be there in person, however, we are there in spirit! We are very sorry for your loss, he will always be remembered by those that loved and knew him so well.!
From: Judy, Lynda and Donna, the MacQueen girls
We were sorry to hear of Gerard’s passing. He was a kind and gentle man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
From: Greg & Shirley DiPersio
Sincere condolences on the loss of your family member ;Gerard” our prayers and thoughts are with you during this sorrowful time in your lives
From: George & Marilyn Peters; Vaughn & Loretta Hatmaker
So truly sorry for your loss.Gerard was a friend to everyone who knew him.He will be missed.
We are sorry we will be out of town at this time..
Joe and Janice Waye
RIP Gerard,condolences to all the family
Condolences from the Neville family. Maybe rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Gerard, he was such a good friend during our school days , we both had the same nick name , tootsie , every time we would see each other , it was a laugh as to which one of us would call the nick name first, he sure will be missed , our talks when he would pick me up for work in his taxi , my condolences to the MacNeil Family RIP my friend
Condolences to the MAC Neil family, Gerard was a friend to all who knew him and will be greatly missed . Sorry we are out of town; our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincere condolences being sent to all of Junior’s family.
He was one of the nicest people I knew. Always had time for a chat
Just was in to visit him same Day. , so very shocked ,sending. Peace an love to his family. Rip Gerald in Gods. Arms
So very sorry for your loss, he drove us home many times after a party. A true gentkeman and friend he will be missed…RIP.
Anne Marie & Donnie MacAskill
So sorry to all the family for your loss, Gerard was a great guy, always had time to stop and chat, you will be missed my friend. rest easy.
My condolences to Gerard’s Family and friends . Gerard and I worked at the race track , many years ago we had A lot of laughs at that time….. . He will be missed .
Very sorry to hear of Gerard’s passing.He was such a great guy.Condolences to his family !
Condolences to the MacNeil family may he rest in peace
Rest in peace Gerard, you will be missed by all who knew you. My condolences to your family
To the MacNeil family, my deepest condolences. May he Rest In Peace
MacNeil Family—Very sorry for your loss. Sure you will be sharing many great stories over the next few day. Blair & Norma McDonald
Condolences to Gerard’s family. He always had a smile and was a true gentleman . Rest in peace.
So sorry for the family of gerard..he was a great guy and a great friend miss him dearly
Gerard was such a nice man…he was always our taxi driver many times from different events.
Condolences to the family.
RIP Gerard…
Evelyn (Currie) Ferguson Orangeville,Ont.
So sorry to hear of Gerald passing
We worked together years ago,we shared many laughs.
He was a friend and will be truly missed.
Unfortunately Ken and I are out of town and we cannot attend his service
Please accept my condolence on the loss of a great guy …,.,RIP Gerard
So sorry to read of Gerard’s passing, another good ole Ashby boy taken from us, far to soon. Sympathies to Gerard’s sisters, brothers and their families.
Condolences to the MacNeil family on the passing of Gerard. My great friend you will be missed.
Richie and Judy Hunt Inverness
Sorry to her about the loss of your brother Gerard, we didn’t know him much as the brothers ,but we heard he was a great guy and his smile , welled like by a lot of people .the memories you have of him will help with the hard times God Bless you all ,he will be playing his hand in tarbish and smiling down on you . Thinking of you Raymond & Joan Boudreau
Sad news as Gerard was a sweet guy with a big heart. His version of Sonny Boy was a joy to listen to. Our condolences to family and friends.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Junior. Junior sure was a great guy that would help anyone who needed help . My you fly high my friend. RIP 50
To the entire MacNeil Family,
We grew up together on Dixon Avenue and had so much fun as kids. There certainly were enough of us on the street and we always had someone to play with. Gerard was a little younger but could still throw a good rock or a snowball whatever the season. We had lots of fun at the potato roast in the MacNeil’s yard. I will keep my memories of our times together and the fun we had with Gerard. My condolences to all Gerard’s family and friends.
Diane Matheson Gwynn
Will be sadly missed by this caper and family. I knew them all. What a great family from the ones that delivered the mail to the ashby legion and track and could he sing like Rita oh what a precious loss. rip my brother
To the MacNeil family,with heartfelt sympathy,wishing you peace to bring you comfort,courage to face the days ahead,and good memories to forever hold in your heart
Sadie and Mike are embracing their youngest son. They certainly raised a kind and gentle person. He will be deeply missed.
My sincere condolences to the MacNeil family and Gerard”s friends.
Donna Matheson
So very sorry to hear of Gerard’s passing. Ken and I always loved curling with Gerard. He was a wonderful skip. No matter where you put the rock he’d always say “that’s fine, we can use that later.” He had the best smile and personality . RIP Gerard ~ sending condolences to the MacNeil family from Calgary.
So long Ger-rabbit. So many years and so many laughs. I will miss you my dear friend.
Sorry to hear of your loss, condolences to the MacNeil family.
My heart breaks at hearing of the loss of Gerard. How lucky you were to have such a special person to call your brother. Remember the good times and the laughter he brought. Take care of each other. Thinking of all of you.
To all the MacNeil cousins. Saddened to hear about Gerard’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this terrible time. Sadie has her baby back. xo
So very sad to hear of Gerards passing. I have many fond memories of Gerard growing up and hanging out at the race track in Ashby and, in recent years, running in to him at tarabish games when I was home visiting. He was one of the good guys and my condolences to the MacNeil family at this difficult time.
Aww he was a kind man he used to be my neighbor we used to always sneak treats to rascal he just laugh and say you girls r spoiling him RIP Junior
It is very sad to hear the news of Gerard’s passing. I went to school with Gerard many years ago and still remember how kind and funny he was. We always remember the people who make us laugh! My sincere condolences to the MacNeil family.
I was sorry to read of Gerard’s passing, it has been many, many years since I have seen him. My most vivid memories are of around the racetrack when I was a teenager. He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He was such a nice guy. My sincere sympathy to all on your loss.
Please accept my sincere sympathy on your loss of Gerard.
Gerard was a good man and a good friend.
treasure your memories and God Bless.
Sincerely,
Greta Nearing.