Obituary of McNeill, Leonard Joseph

The death occurred peacefully at Prince County Hospital, Summerside, P.E.I. on Sunday, March 5th, 2017 of Leonard Joseph McNeill of Miscouche on his 87th birthday. Leonard was born in Ellis River, P.E.I. on March 5th, 1930 to his late parents, Josephine (Cameron) and Augustine McNeill. He married Florence Kelly in February 1953 and they raised their family of seven children in Miscouche. Leonard was employed for 38 years with Marine Atlantic Ferries. Over that time, he developed many life-long friendships and countless humorous stories, which he loved to tell. Leonard was proud of his children and grandchildren and most happy when they gathered in the summers at the family cottage in Belmont. A keen card player, he loved to play (and win), especially cribbage and 45s. He was very talented at woodworking and over the years created many cherished items for his grandchildren like toy boxes, rocking horses and Christmas ornaments. Leonard will be fondly remembered in the community as a thoughtful neighbour, a loyal friend, and a faithful parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church, Miscouche. He leaves to cherish his memory to his beloved and dedicated wife Florence (Kelly) McNeill; his seven children Cathy Conlin, Donna McNeill (Kevin Brown deceased), Myrna (Bruce) Kelley, Leona (John) Phillips, Ensor (Kim) McNeill, Philip McNeill, and Barbara (Stephen) Thompson. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren; Glynnis (Wes) Patterson, Maureen Conlin, Alexis (Andy) Lee, Shannon Kelley (her fiance Mark Austin), Mark and Ryan Phillips, Joshua, Jacob and Noah McNeill, Meghan and Alexander McNeill, Matthew, Ben and Andrew Thompson and his great-grandsons John Paterson and Gavin Lee. Leonard was one of eight children. He will be lovingly remembered by his two sisters Sarah (Leo deceased) Gallant and Lillian (Kenneth) Gallant, his brother Bennett (Mary deceased) McNeill, brother in-law and sisters in-law Virginia (Arnold deceased) McNeill, Lloyd (Karen), Reby (Linus deceased) Bulger, Marion (Emmett deceased), Mary (Wayne) and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Leonard was predeceased by his brothers Walter (Pat) and Francis "Junior", his sister Doreen (Gerald), brothers and sisters in-law Mary (Ervin) Rafferty, Everett (Margaret), Francis, Hillard, Myra, Allan and Kathleen. Resting at the East Prince Funeral Home, 245 Pope Rd., Summerside until Thursday, March 9th, then to St. John the Baptist Church, Miscouche for a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment to take place in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Leonard's memory to the East Prince Council of Hospice/Palliative Care would be greatly appreciated. Visiting hours on Wednesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. If you would like to send a condolence to his family, please click Online Condolence below OR send directly to epfuneral@eastlink.ca