Obituary of Clifford McNeil

B I O G R A P H Y MCNEIL: Clifford Victor McNeil passed away in the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre, Lloydminster, Alberta on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at the age of 79 years. The memorial service for Clifford was conducted from the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. with Joyce Carson officiating. A eulogy was given by Dennis Noyes. The hymns sung were “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “In The Garden,” accompanied by pianist Pat Skinner. A Legion Honor Guard was held. Interment followed in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Words of Remembrance/Eulogy Clifford Victor McNeil - prepared by his son Robert Clifford Victor McNeil was born on May 4, 1928 at his home near Aneroid, Saskatchewan. He passed away on November 11, 2007 in Lloydminster, Alberta. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Betty, three children: his daughter Doreen and her husband Tom Polizer, and two sons Robert and his wife Kathy and Cliff and his wife Judy; five grandchildren: Terrilyne, Darren, Shawn, Trevor, Kirk McNeil and Karen Shoaf; five great grandchildren: Kyra, Riley, Jonas and Sydney McNeil and Nolan Shoaf; three brothers: Ernie, Walter and Doug McNeil; brother-in-law, Henry Reiger, sister-in-law Jerry Reiger and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his mother and father, two brothers and a brother-in-law, three sisters-in-law, his father and mother-in-law, one niece and two nephews. Cliff grew up in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. At the age of fifteen he joined the army and was sent overseas in the second World War with the Algonquin Regiment. In July of 1944 he went into combat in Holland. Cliff was discharged on April 27, 1946. He never spoke much about the fighting in Europe. Robert thinks that it probably bothered him too much, but he did talk about the good times he had in England. He returned to Meadow Lake after the war, where he met Betty Johnson. They were soon married and moved to British Columbia where they both worked. After a move to Blackdiamond, Alberta, Doreen was born. They moved back to Meadow Lake where he worked at various jobs and Robert was born. In 1952 Cliff moved his family to Lloydminster to work at Sydney Roofing. Cliff Jr. Arrived in 1957. He took some High School upgrading and in the mid 60's Cliff became the manager of Domtar Roofing. Domtar had bought out Sydney Roofing. He managed the Domtar plant until 1968 when he was approached to go to Brantford, Ontario and manage a roofing plant there. After rebuilding the plant there he moved again this time to Burnaby, BC again in a Domtar plant. About two years later he moved back to Lloydminster and ran a store and Post Office in Blackfoot. A couple of years later he went to work for Ross’s Septic Tank Factory and for a short time at the sheltered workshop. Many of you will remember him as a car salesman for R.J.R. Noyes, where he worked until he retired. Cliff really enjoyed selling cars, he loved meeting people, this friendly outgoing man had found a job that he loved. Cliff was a member of the Lloydminster Golf Club and was an avid golfer. He golfed all over Alberta and Saskatchewan. Cliff was proud of his family. If he could help his kids in any way he would. He was a good listener never being too critical or too pushy with his advice. Most people will remember Cliff for his good sense of humor. He was a positive thinker always trying to see the good things in people and the things around him. His family remember him as a good provider, a good husband, a good father, a good grandfather and a good man. He is sorely missed by his family and friends. By Son Clifford Jr. Like standing on the bow of some ancient ship, staring, staring into this fog, this vastness we call grief, looking for a light to give us passage, his face is what I see, and it is the light. I was once told that in the end all we have in life is a few memories, I believe this maybe so, in the final years and months his precious memories were taken away, through all his life experiences, his memories, like pictures framed and put on the wall of that inner mind, one by one they were removed till that wall was bare, everyone has their own wall of memories, he resides in the centre of mine, I honor him and I remember him for all the gracious gifts he gave us, his selflessness, his friendship, his compassion, his wisdom and his love for his family. He had another family in another place and time, the Algonquin Regiment, he never spoke too openly about those days on foreign soils, hard memories, the sacrifices of others, I guess in his mind there was a special place for those memories, thoughts of those left behind, he passed away on Remembrance Day, a time of honor, a time of peace, a time of remembrance, a time of respect, a fitting time for this proud old soldier, it makes one wonder if there isn’t something else at work here, his destiny, his duty has been fulfilled but he will continue to hold that light in our hearts and minds. This day is a celebration of his life and the times we shared with him. He will always be deeply loved and greatly missed, God Bless Him and Care for Him. For all who came this day, God Bless You and Thank You. Card of Thanks The family of Cliff McNeil would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at the Dr. Cooke for their care of Cliff. Thank you to Joyce Carson and Pat Skinner for their assistance at the service and to the ladies who prepared and served the lunch. Thank you to McCaw Funeral Service for their care and compassion. Thank you to everyone who sent food, flowers and donations and to everyone who called or visited. The McNeil Families Donations in memory of Clifford may be made to the Alzheimer's Society or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.