Obituary of Neil Arnell

January 23, 1935 – Cochrane, Alberta

February 2, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

We are sad to announce that Neil Arnell passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the age of 88 years. He will be missed greatly by his son Keith Arnell, daughter Karen Arnell (Michael), and his granddaughter Lauryn Busseri. Neil was predeceased by his wife Enid Arnell, sister Jacqueline Swainson, and brother Ken Arnell.

Neil was raised in the Cochrane area and attended Western Canada High School and Mount Royal College. As a young man Neil loved to play sports and had his own barbershop in Calgary. Before starting a family, he began working at the Alberta Wheat Pool where he stayed for over 25 years. During this time Neil and his wife Enid also bred and sold hundreds of canaries as a hobby. They retired to Olds in 1998, and then returned to Calgary in 2006. For the past eight years Neil lived at the Manor Village Huntington Hills retirement residence.

Neil loved his family, animals, nature, gardening, hockey, desserts, and was a passionate Calgary Flames fan. Even after losing his eyesight, he still enjoyed listening to Flames games and visiting with others at the Manor.

Special thanks to the staff at the Foothills Medical Centre for their compassion and hard work during Neil’s lengthy stay. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. If so desired, memorial tributes in Neil’s name may be made directly to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 15 Colonel Baker Place N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 4Z3 Telephone: (403) 261-7219, www.cnib.ca or the Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca.

In living memory of Neil Arnell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.