Father Joseph Ambrose MacNeil

Father Joe Ambrose MacNeil died peacefully at the palliative unit of the Sydney Regional Hospital on Sunday, August 6th, 2017, at the age of 83. Born in Sydney, he was a son of the late Michael Ambrose MacNeil and Florence MacInnis. Father Joe grew up in Sydney, Cape Breton, attending Sydney Academy, Xavier Junior College and St. Francis Xavier University (BA). He continued his studies at the University Seminary in Ottawa and at the Urban College in Rome. He was ordained in Rome on December 20th, 1959 and served the church in the Diocese of Antigonish teaching at St. Francis Junior College (1962-1972), and in the parishes of Holy Rosary, Westmount (1971-1972), St. Mary, Port Morien (1972-1975), St. Ninian Parish, Antigonish (1975), St. Patrick, Lochaber (1976-1980), St. Anthony Daniel, Sydney (1980-1981), Immaculate Conception, Sydney Mines (1981-1989), St. Theresa, Sydney (1990-1996), and St. Andrew, Boisdale (1996-2002). He also served as Advocate and later Judge for the Halifax Regional Tribunal, as well as serving on several Diocesan Committees. After he retired, he enjoyed helping out in pastoral ministry in various parishes. His gentle personality and being a real gentleman provided a wonderful foundation for his pastoral ministry. He will be remembered by his former parishioners as a gentle and caring person. He also loved to travel and was a wonderful companion for the priests who traveled with him. Father Joe Ambrose was the last surviving member of his family and is predeceased by his three sisters, Fran (Malcolm), Theresa and Collette. Funeral arrangements will be carried out by T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel of Sydney and visitation was held at the Fire Hall in Christmas Island on Wednesday, August 9th from 7-9 pm. Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, August 10th, 2017 at 2 pm, at St. Columba Church in Iona, with Bishop Brian Dunn presiding.