DONALD W. MCNEILL

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DONALD W. MCNEILL

Peacefully on Sunday, May 5, 2024, Donald W. McNeill passed away at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, MB at the age of 93 and a half…don’t forget the half!

Don was born in Port Arthur, Ontario on November 2, 1930, to Elizabeth M. McNeill (nee Harper) and George T. A. McNeill. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters, Shirley McNeill and Marilee Vaillant and wife (Edith) Doreen (nee Matheson).

Don will forever be remembered by his daughter Elizabeth Peech (Bob), son Bill (Denise), granddaughter Brooke as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Don was educated in the Port Arthur Public School System through middle school, moving on to complete secondary school at Port Arthur Collegiate, graduating from grade 13. He spent his free time during 1939 to 1945 helping in the war effort knitting scarves, gloves and hats for the “boys” in his Dad’s Artillery unit. It was also in those years that he became interested in golf, caddying for his grandfather William Harper at Strathcona Golf Club in Port Arthur. Golf balls were in short supply during those years and Don developed a keen eye for following and locating errant shots, rarely losing any. He always managed to find a few others along the way. (A trait that served him well through to his last game with Elizabeth and Bill in 2023!). During this time he also began playing the “gentleman’s game”. As time went by, he began competing in various golf tournaments in the area and won the Strathcona Club Championship, the Strathcona Invitational, the Thunder Bay District Amateur Championship and also scored two holes in one at Strathcona.

While Don was in High School he was introduced to the “roaring game” and began curling with Bill Tetley. He worked hard on his curling skills and was rewarded by being selected to be part of teams that won bonspiels at the Port Arthur Curling Club a number of times, also competing in the NWCA Curling Playdowns. These experiences served him well when he was transferred back to Winnipeg where he was eventually rewarded by being on winning team at the Manitoba Seniors Curling Championships and representing the province at the Canadian Championships in Nanaimo.

During an earlier stint in Winnipeg, Don was playing third on the winning team in the May 1965 Charleswood Little Car Bonspiel skipped by Bob Goodwin. Not only did they score an “eightender” enroute to their victory, Don won the biggest prize of all! The lead, Doreen Matheson, had won a car in the 1960 bonspiel, so now she was a two time winner! Don and Doreen were both of Irish heritage. At the Bonspiel windup Don apparently suggested that they sell both of their new cars and go to visit Ireland. Doreen’s response was “not without a ring on my finger”! Don was so enamoured by Doreen that they enjoyed a short courtship and on July 12, 1965, Don presented Doreen with an engagement ring, which she accepted. They married on September 18, 1965, and immediately flew to Ireland for their honeymoon!

Don joined Bank of Montreal shortly after graduating High School. He served BMO in several localities in NW Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Don retired from BMO in 1985 after 35 1/2 years of service. He was then recruited into the Credit Union System and spent five years enjoying short term management stints in a number of branches both in rural Manitoba and in Winnipeg. He then returned to BMO as a Retirement Services Officer for an additional five years before finally retiring completely.

Once Don was finally retired, he and Doreen were able to enjoy 17 years of spending a number of months every winter in Titusville, Florida. Don practiced and played a lot of golf to stay on top of his game for when he returned to Winnipeg. He and Doreen both developed a keen interest in the NASA Space Program, watching several missions lift off and return to the Kennedy Space Center from a prime viewing location just down the street from where they were staying. Going up was one thing, but returning from outer space without a power management system was absolutely beyond comprehension!

In 1962 BMO transferred Don back to Winnipeg and he joined Niakwa. His friend Bob Goodwin had also joined Niakwa. “Goodie” suggested that they submit entries to play in the British Amateur at St. Andrews. They were accepted and flew to London. They golfed at a number of prestigious courses on their way up to St. Andrews including a stop at Portmarnock where Don’s Irish Uncle had arranged a game with Harry Bradshaw. They eventually reached St. Andrews, played in the tournament (the only Canadians in the field) and then played a number of other spectacular courses before heading home.

Golf was always a big part of Don’s life. In addition to his success in Thunder Bay, he had success in Winnipeg as well. (He said that his aspirations in golf and curling did not reach total fulfilment… we think he did Ok!) He competed in the Canadian Amateur, won the 1976 Jack Blair Match Play Championship, won the 1986 Manitoba Senior Amateur Championship, represented Manitoba on three occasions at the Canadian Senior Amateur, was an eight time Club Champion at Niakwa, shot a career low 67, and collected eight holes in one over his lifetime. Don also represented Niakwa at Interclub competitions and played on the Mundie Putter and Senior Putter Teams.



Once Elizabeth and Bill were old enough to start swinging a club, Don was an extremely patient teacher and later, mentor. He helped out with the Group Swing Classes for the junior players at Niakwa and was very instrumental in both of them developing very good golf swings and a love of the game. He would play with his friends every Saturday and Sunday morning, come home for lunch, and go back to the club with Elizabeth, Bill and Doreen and tee off again at 2:00 p.m.

Don had been a member at Niakwa for over 50 years, resulting in him becoming an honorary Lifetime Member. He still managed to get out and hit balls, putt and play a few games every year right up until last year when he played a few games with Elizabeth and Bill. He still hit some impressive shots, and as always, had some tips to help their game! His answer when asked how old he was? He’d say that it was a crappy golf score… and then say 93.

Don was also very involved in other activities when Elizabeth and Bill were kids. Whether it was driving to hockey, tying skates, building sets and painting the ice for figure skating shows or being a very convincing Santa at Christmas parties, he was always supporting them as they grew up.

Don was very proud of the fact that he managed to stay in his house, making his meals and doing his thing. He would still drive himself over to the Reh-Fit Centre to stay in shape. He was very good at finishing the crossword puzzles and Sudoku in the Free Press. He always looked forward to Sunday Dinners with Elizabeth and Bob and frequent visits from Bill, Denise and Brooke.

Don’s favourite activity during the last few years was his Wednesday night trip over to Fionn McCool’s. They treated him like family and he always looked forward to his “Wednesday fish and chips”. He would tell everyone he came across that it was the best around and how much he enjoyed it.

Special thanks to everyone involved in Don’s final weeks. To the WFPS, the Emergency Department team at Victoria Hospital, and the extremely caring and talented team of Doctors, Surgeons, Nurses, Aides and Staff at the Grace Hospital, we thank you for your talent and compassion.

At Don’s request, there will be no service, but a Celebration of Life for both Don and Doreen will be held later this summer. The notification will be in the Free Press the Saturday Prior.

Should you wish, donations to either the Grace Hospital Foundation or the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund (by cheque to Golf Manitoba Scholarship Fund Inc., 420 -145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2Z6 or use the following link https://www.mycharitytools.com/gift/wpgfdn/donate?fund=845 ) would be appreciated.

Tributes: www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 25, 2024, May 25, 2024