Obituary of Kenneth Francis McNeil

February 3, 1953 – Ottawa, Ontario|

May 14, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

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Ken McNeil of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at the age of 70 years after a short but courageous battle with lung cancer.  He was the beloved husband of Jan McNeil (Adams) and the loving father of Shelley (David), Bonnie (Eric), and Katelyn.  He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren, Benjamin and Connor and his siblings, Jean, Don, Rosalyn, Beth, and Heather.

Ken graduated from Carleton University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1976.  He moved West in 1977 to start his career in the oil and gas industry. Ken married his loving wife Jan on June 3, 1978. Ken accomplished much during his lifetime and was particularly proud of his long and fruitful career as a production engineer as well as his daughters.  He enjoyed trap-shooting, cooking elaborate dinners for his family, bird-watching, and was an avid reader.  In his retirement, he took up glider flying, wood-working and carving, and volunteered for the Bluebird Society.  Ken was passionate about gardening and will be remembered every time we plant marigolds and gladiolas.

Ken loved to travel, and he and Jan took many trips together. Some of the most memorable being his cruise in the Ionian sea on the S.S. Minnow and a trip to Costa Rica where he enjoyed bird watching in the rain forest, and was one of the few places he dreamed of returning to someday. Some of his favorite destinations were tropical islands as he enjoyed snorkeling and he believed “sea water is good for the soul”.

He will be most remembered for his musical talent in guitar and tuba and his attempts to deafen the neighbourhood with Led Zeppelin and Jimmi Hendrix at excessive volumes.

There will be no public funeral service at his request.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes, in memory of Ken, may be made to Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca, Arthritis Society, Alberta Regional Office #1700, 393 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1E6 Telephone: 1-800-321-1433.  info@ab.arthritis.ca, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

As a living memory of Kenneth McNeil, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.