Kevin MacNeil

Kevin MacNeil

Sydney Mines

It is with broken hearts that our family announces the unexpected death of our father, son, brother, uncle, Fiancé, and friend, Kevin MacNeil, on Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Born in North Sydney, Kevin was the youngest son of Georgina and the late John Douglas MacNeil.

From early childhood, Kevin became a huge fan and loyal supporter of the Montreal Canadiens. In early March, he and his fiancée, Cathy, traveled to Montreal to see his favorite team, the Canadiens, play her favorite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. They also visited the Hockey Hall of Fame, where he enjoyed reading so much of the information about his Canadiens that Cathy literally had to pull him out of the museum.

During the summer months, Cathy and Kevin enjoyed playing golf with friends and relatives. Kevin could often be found at various local venues playing pool, and he loved a good game of cards, especially Texas Holdem. A recent trip to the Women's World Curling Championship sparked a new interest and appreciation for the game.

Kevin often unwillingly shared his Valentine's Day Birthday with others and joked about having to buy them gifts on his birthday.

Over the past ten years, he was a member of Local 92 in Alberta, where he developed a Brotherhood and Sisterhood of many new friends.

Kevin is survived by his daughter Desiree, his son Ethan Gregory (Mother Holly Hawkins), and his fiancée Cathy Garland.

Everyone who knew Kevin was aware of his great love and pride in Desiree. To say she was “the apple of his eye” would have been a tremendous understatement. His close bond with Ethan was also evident to everyone. Kevin considered Cathy his best friend and the love of his life.

Kevin is also survived by his mother, Gina; brothers Dougie Jr. and Chris, and his favorite sister, Leah (Brandon); nieces Chelsea (Chelly), Kayla, and Madison, from whom he never missed a chance to get his warm hugs; and nephews Mathew and Ethan Joseph. Also, surviving numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Kevin was predeceased by his father, Dougie, his maternal grandparents, Eleanor and Neil MacKinnon, and his paternal grandparents, Katherine and Danny MacNeil.

Kevin’s unexpected death shocked us and his many relatives and friends. Their many gestures of sympathy, including phone calls, Facebook and e-mail messages, pictures, food sent to our home, and home visits, helped warm our hearts. We were not aware of the many friends Kevin really had until we all experienced so many of these heart-warming gestures.

A visitation for Kevin will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024, from 6-9 pm in JM Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. A funeral mass to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 10:30 am in St. Joseph’s Church Bras d’Or. A reception will follow in Bras d’Or Hall. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Kevin’s memory can be made to Kids Sport NS.