Norman Alphonse MacNeil

85, of Bridgewater, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 27 with his loving family by his side. Norman was born in Grass Cove, Victoria County, Cape Breton on August 1, 1925 to the late Malcolm Dan and Christie (MacDonald) MacNeil. Raised in Iona, he was the eldest of nine children. On February 9, 1943 at the age of 17, Norman was awarded the Carnegie Medal for his heroic action in the rescue of his sister Mary and two of her friends from the Bras d'Or Lake, Iona, NS. He attended St. Mary's University, Halifax, and then joined the RCAF Fleet Air Arm Division as Leading Aircraftsman in 1944. With the end of WWII, Norman returned to Canada and moved to Bridgewater in 1950 with the chartered accountant firm Nightingale Haymen & Company. In 1958 he began work at Good Wear Treaders Ltd, becoming a partner in 1961. He served as President of the Atlantic Tire Dealers Association and the Canadian Association of Tire Dealers. Norman was very involved with the church as a lay reader, honorary life member and past Grand Knight of the Father Adrian Butts Council, and member of the fourth degree Knights of Columbus Msgr. William Wamboldt Assembly 3139. He was well respected in the community, serving as a member of Bridgewater Town Council, Police and Development Commissions, Past President of the Bridgewater Curling Club, Little League Baseball, and Minor Hockey, Past member of the Bridgewater Kinsmen Club, and lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24. Norman is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Betty (Taylor) MacNeil, children Valerie (Tom) Feindel, Maitland Forks; Peter, Hammonds Plains; Charles (Joanne) MacNeil, Pleasantville; Gary (Sarah) MacNeil, Bridgewater; John (Catherine-Anne) MacNeil, Pleasantville; Lisa (Stephen)Burton, Bridgewater; loving grandchildren, Emily, Nathaniel & Stephen Feindel; Matthew, Jonathan & Alex MacNeil; Adam, Michael & Kate MacNeil; William, Christie & David MacNeil; Christopher & Sarah Burton. Also survived by sisters Mary (Vincent) Muto, Florida; Theresa (Roy) Brown, Kingston, Ontario; Dorothy (Bob) Mercer, Molega Lake; Patricia Stockfish, Toronto, Ontario; Kathy (Ken) Partington, Cow Bay; brothers Peter (Pat) MacNeil, Dartmouth; John Angus MacNeil, North Bay, Ontario; Malcolm (Nancy) MacNeil, Lower Sackville; many nieces and nephews. Family was very important to Norman and he will be admired, respected and loved forever. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 30 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Sweeny's Funeral Home, Bridgewater, with a public legion tribute service being held at 7pm. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, December 1 at 1:00 p.m., St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Pleasant Street, Bridgewater, Father Joseph Christensen officiating. Private burial will follow in St. Joseph's Church Cemetery. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Lunenburg County Branch of the VON, Lunenburg County Home Support Services, or charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.