Maj (Ret’d) Don MacNeil passed away at 68 years of age after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a man fully dedicated to an impressive military career of 35 years that took him to many countries. He relished the challenges his career offered and always appreciated the honour of serving alongside soldiers from Canada and other countries. He was also glad for the opportunities and adventures military life presented his family.
Left to mourn are his loyal and loving wife Eliza (nee Karoulla), stepdaughter Joanne Mulholland (Julien) and granddaughter Georghia, stepson George, sister Yvonne, brothers Glenn (Michelle) and Brian and close family friend Carole Travis as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father Warrant Officer 2 Earle MacNeil, mother Margaret (nee Aylward) and brother Patrick (“Paddy”).
Born in St. John’s NL, Don attended Brother Rice High School and Memorial University of Newfoundland. Following a proud military tradition, he served from an early age as an Army Cadet throughout high school and commanded 2515 St. John’s Army Cadet Corps in his final year. As a bilingual Armour (tank) officer, Don remained a loyal officer of his Regiment, the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, and wore its cap badge for his entire career. He commanded troops in operational missions inside and outside Canada, served in Germany, taught tank gunnery at the Royal Canadian Armour School, and served as a very effective staff officer in a number of positions. Always proud of being a Newfoundlander, Don was especially happy to return to his home province and serve at the NL Militia District HQ as Chief of Staff.
In 1994, Don was deployed to Rwanda with the United Nations where his valiant conduct, devotion to duty and distinguished service saved hundreds of lives and earned him a Mention in Dispatches award from the Queen of Canada. His other awards include the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the UN medal for service in Cyprus and the Canadian Forces Decoration for his 35 years of faithful service to Canada. His operational service was also recognized by the Canadian War Museum where some of his artifacts are on permanent display and in the Museum’s research library.
After removing the uniform, Don was employed as an operational planner at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. He served as a focal point for his fellow Rwanda Veterans and organized several reunions with their former Commander, Lieutenant – General Roméo Dallaire.
Don was loved by many and touched all he came in contact with. His generosity of spirit, positive attitude, constant good humour, ability to cut through nonsense and jolly and friendly demeanour were legendary. He will be greatly missed by all.
Special thanks to the staff at Northumberland Hills Hospital Cancer and Supportive Care Clinic. Flowers are welcome and donations can be made to Northumberland Hills Hospital Cancer and Supportive Care Clinic in Don’s memory.
Friends and family are invited to a funeral service on Thursday, June 22 at 1pm in the Sacred Space of Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, ON. Burial will follow in the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood at 2pm. The family invites guests to join them for a reception in the Beechwood National Memorial Centre following the burial.
Digital Guestbook
Glen King
Wayne Barry
Before Don attended Bro. Rice High School he attended St. Patrick’s Hall Grammar School in St. John’s. I remember him coming to school on the green military bus. He was a classmate around 1964. I have nice memories of an admirable classmate. RIP Don. My condolences to his family.
Ed Hollett
Please accept my most sincere condolences. I had the great good fortune of working for Major MacNeil when he was Chief of Staff in the last days of the old NL Militia District HQs. He was exceptional.
Paddy Crowley
Our condolences to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a great Canadian who served his country with honour.
Gail Dicks-O’Keefe
To Don’s family, Glenn, Yvonne and Brian
We were so saddened to learn of Don’s death. I am very grateful to have spent time with him during his most recent visits to St. John’s. The tributes posted are so inspiring to read and to learn of all that he has accomplished. My deepest memories of Don go back to childhood days on Ellis Place when we were all quite young, and he was the favoured godson of Auntie Nell!
Love and warmest thoughts to all.
Gail Dicks, Ted O’Keefe and Family
Thomas Burnie
We served together in the Armour School. Always the character, i enjoyed Don's company. May he rest in peace.
Gordon Zans
I had the privilege of working with Don for many years in the Exercise and Simulation department of the Canadian Forces College. Don was an outstanding officer, and more importantly, a wonderful person and gentleman. His integrity, sense of duty, and sense of humour were always present, even in the most difficult of times. He was an example for all of us and will be missed.
My deepest condolences to the MacNeil family.
Nick & Susan Cardoulis
Glynn and family, we are saddened to hear the news of Don's passing. Don was a fixture in our family many years ago in St. John's. He and my late brother Paul were best friends. Great guy all 'round. He undoubtedly left a meaningful footprint in this world......a life well lived. Very sorry we could be with you today but please know that you and your family is in our hearts.
Frank Slater
I had the distinct privilege of serving with Donnie at 12eRBC. Affable, funny, dedicated, fiercely loyal, professional, and courageous are the words that come to mind when I think of him. He was prod of his heritage, his family and Regiment. Je pense souvent à nos moments au mess, où il nous a divertis avec des spectacles entiers de Monty Python, mot pour mot de mémoire. Donnie, you were a great friend when we were together both at work and on course. You are already sadly missed.
Adsum
Jean-Pierre Poirier (Maj ret’d)
What a sad news. Repose en paix mon ami. ADSUM
I first met Don and his brother Glenn before any of us were 10 years old. I think Glenn was 6, I was 7 and Don was 8. We met due to living in the same neighbourhood in St. John's. They told me their dad was in the army. Not too long after, my family moved and I figured our time as friends had ended. Not! A few years later we met again when we were young cadets in St. John's 2515 Army Cadet Corps. I knew then that both were going to follow their dad and have military careers as well. After our army cadet days we went our separate ways once more. This time I thought our friendship was now over for good. Lo and behold 4-5 years later, once we were all of drinking age, we meet again at a motel/lounge that their now retired father would frequent for a couple of wobbly pops on a regular basis. I became a regular as well. On occasion the boys and a couple of their friends would meet up with dad for a "cold one". I had just started working with CNR in the running trades (transferred out west in '77 and I'm still there). Don was in university taking courses through the Canadian Armed Forces and Glenn was getting ready for "boot camp" and joining the Air Force . He was going to become a helicopter pilot. Don went army like his dad and the rest is history. I always knew Don would be a great soldier and end up more than just a private. I'm sure his officer training gave him many avenues to make worthy contributions to his Armour Tank Regiment and to his country which he dearly loved. Although he made it long enough to retire and receive a much deserved pension, he has left us much too soon before totally enjoying a long and rewarding "at ease" time in ones life for all his time in uniform. RIP Don, my old friend. It was such a pleasure to have met and known you and I am proud to call you my friend............