
Father Robert Hector McNeil
On Monday, January 16th, 2017, Father Robert McNeil, age 69, our beloved brother and friend passed peacefully into eternal life at his residence in Halifax surrounded by the love of family and his dearest friend, Father Phil Callaghan. Born in Glace Bay and raised in Reserve Mines, Robert was the son of the late Pius and Mary (Watson) McNeil.
Father Robert served as parish priest throughout the Diocese of Antigonish. Father Robert was named by the diocese of Antigonish as Episcopal Vicar of the Mi’kmaq people. He served this First Nation of the Maritimes in the parishes of Eskasoni, Wagmatcook, and Waycabaah.
He will be sadly missed by his sisters and brothers, Erma Campbell, Gilbert (Ruth) Mc Neil, Florence (Tony) Vautour, Angie Fowler, Raymond McNeil, Jane Mac Neil, and brother-in-law, Pat Cameron. He will also be missed by his nieces and nephews, Mark, Ted, Lisa, Chris, Michael, Michelle, Patrice, Andrea, Janine, Deanne, Marissa, Alecia and Jocelyne, Rod, Robert, and his many grandnieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister, Obie Cameron, his nephews, Shawn McNeil and Richard Campbell, sister-in-law, Madeline McNeil, and brothers-in-law, Don Fowler, and Mike Campbell.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish Church, Eskasoni on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will follow in the springtime on Chapel Island.