Sunrise: October 9, 1938
Sunset: April 14, 2013
After perseverance through nine years of dialysis and one and a half years of that time fighting cancer with no prognosis of survival, Neil made his own decision to go to Hospice. “I am the master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.” His sister Nora will miss him terribly along with his niece Kathy and her husband John, nephew Terry and his wife Erin, and their children Taylor, Hailey and Sarah. Others too will miss him: Sisters-in-law Dorothy and her husband Charles, Irene and her husband John, Janet and brother-in-law Charlie, niece Ruth-Anne and her husband Rob, nephews Chris and his wife Koula, Terry and his wife Lisa, and their children Ryan, Patrick, Cassie, Kelsie, and Tyler. He says goodbye to all his friends at the “Trailside Rest Mens Club”, and to our wonderful friends and neighbours in Caledon East (and they know who they are). A special farewell to Gary Blay and co-workers at BellCanada and to his nurses at Orangeville Headwaters Hospital. And so God deals with us and takes away our playthings one by one, and leads us gently by the hand to rest. So gently that we go not knowing if we wish to go or stay. Being too full of sleep to understand how far the unknown transcends what we know. God speed Neil into the great vast universe and heaven. And I Carolynn, your wife, will miss you most of all. My protector, my gatekeeper, my love. You built our home, you tended our gardens, our cats and dogs, and you didn’t have to say I love you everyday. You showed it in a thousand different ways. I only know that summer sang in me a little while, that in me sings no more. Bye for now. Til we meet again. We thank the nurses at Headwaters in Orangeville on Dialysis Unit, especially Diane, Cheryl and Kelly 1 & 2, and the bravery of all his fellow patients on dialysis. We thank Bethell House for their wonderful care in his last few days before he left us. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Headwaters Health Care Centre, 100 Rolling Hills Drive, OrangevilleL9W 4X9 or Bethell Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 75, Inglewood L7C 3L6. Immediate cremation will take place. A celebration of Neil’s life will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Egan Funeral Home, Bolton (905-857-2213). Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Allan and Isabel Bracken
Dear Carolynn , Nora and Family
We are saddend to hear of the passing of Neil.
Neil will sure be missed by his many friends in Caledon East.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Allan and Isabel Bracken and Family
Gary Boyce
Dear Carolynn,
It is with deep sympathy and profound shock to learn of Neil’s passing. After such a long and difficult period of illness, may he rest in peace.
My sincere prayers to you and all of the family members
Joe and Jean Van Tichelen
Carolynn and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
RIP Neil.
Kathie
We will miss you Uncle Neil, but hope you have found peace and are reunited with Sari again. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and wishes..
Ruth D. and Family
Carolynn,
We will always remember Uncle Neil with a smile in our hearts and a wink of our eyes. Wishing you peace and comfort at this difficult time. Lots of Love
Ruth D. and Family xoxo
Kelly Young
It was an absolute pleasure to care for Neil in dialysis.
He will be greatly missed by all the nurses and patients.
My deepest sympathy
Kelly 2
Irona & Bill Fraser
Dear Carolyn,
I am so sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. It was just a few weeks ago that I had asked Dorothy how Neil was doing. I was surprised that he was still driving himself to dialysis. He was one brave man and fought a long battle. Bill & I send our deep condolences to you and Neil’s family.
Irona
Carol Riddell nurse in Oncology at Headwaters
Enjoyed Neil’s visits for his chemo reminded me of my grandfather
appeared tough but had a gentle soft side with his little grin.
Deepest condolences to all your family
Carol
Joan and Gary Blay
Carolynn
You know how I felt about Neil. I’m still in shock over his death and will miss him dearly. Please accept our deepest heartfelt condolences.
Gary and Joan
Nora Coulter
Neil, I will miss you more than you will ever know. You have been there for me all my life, never turning your back on me.
I am happy that we at least let each other know our feelings. Be at peace finally.
Love you.
Carolyn McComb
Dear Carolynn,
I learned of your husband’s recent passing through your sister Irene, my dear friend.
I am very sorry for your loss, and the deep pain you are going through. May the Lord give you daily strength and a peace that passes all understanding, as you cope with the heart ache and emptiness of his absence.
My sincere condolences.
Carolyn McComb
Jean Proctor & family
Dear Carolyn, Nora & Family:
Neil’s smiling face will be remembered in this village and beyond. Even through nine years of dialysis, he still had a happy greeting with a smile that never changed. I just learned today of his passing and as I read his obituary the tears welled up in my eyes. We will miss his smiling face.
Charlie Tompsett
Carolynn,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Neil was a good man and I know I will miss him and think of him often. Mostly, I will remember his strength, his integrity and his no nonsense way of living. He always stuck by you, took care of you and loved you, my guardian angel, and for that I will always be grateful.
From our recent conversations, I could not help but think of the words from the song, “So Far Away” by Carole King from her 1971 Tapestry album. It was written in a time long before cell phones, Skype, internet or e-mail and when writing letters and paying for long distance was the only way to stay in touch with someone you cared for that was far away…the genuine way and something that (God bless you) you adhere to to this day. This song would have been playing on the radio at the time you were dating Neil. I hope you find some comfort from it.
So far away…doesn’t anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door.
And it doesn’t help to know, you’re just time away.
Long ago I reached for you and there you stood.
Holding you again would only do me good.
How I wish I could…but you’re so far away…
One more song about moving along the highway.
I can’t say much of anything that’s new.
If I could only work this life out my way,
I’d rather spend it being close to you.
Chorus
Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely.
Nothing else to do but close my mind.
I sure hope the road don’t come to own me.
There’s so many dreams I’ve yet to find.
But you’re so far away…
Doesn’t anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door.
And it doesn’t help to know, you’re so far away…
So far away…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWXSgoSY4o4
Remember that you only have to close your eyes and think of Neil and he will be there with you. He is not so far away…and neither are your good neighbours, friends and family. We are only just one of those old fashioned phone calls away.
I love you so much Carol, my classy, smart sister and soul mate. You helped Neil and many others in so many ways through some difficult times over the years just by being you and the wise and compassionate person that you are. Neil was lucky to have you and I know that he knew that. My thoughts are with you and I know that those that love you will help to take care of you and give you strength in the months to come. You are loved and as Dad would say, “We have to keep the show on the road”.
XOXOXO,
Charlie
Vince Cutrara
Dear Carolynn
Sincere condolences for your loss, my thoughts
and prayers are with you.
Vince Cutrara
Marion Sweeny
Hi Carolyn, I am sorry to hear about Neil which now is old news but I did not know how to reach you. I hope you are doing well. The only way I was sure it was you is because I saw Charley Thompsett’s name. Had a dream about you last night and was able to get to this website today and there you were getting condolences for Neil’s passing. Remember the saying you put on my last Birthday card, “LOVE MANY TRUST FEW AND ALWAYS PADDLE YOUR OWN CANOE”. Hope this reaches you.
Marion Sweeny. Toronto Lenders Exchange many years ago