Obituary of Hugh Malcolm David MacNeil

Retired Vice-Admiral Hugh Malcom David MacNeil, age 89, of Belmont, Hants Co., died peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at his home at Wallace Point surrounded by his family, who dearly loved him. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather. Born in Halifax on December 10, 1934 to his late parents Robert “Bob” and Margaret “Peggy” (Oxner) MacNeil. 

Hugh was a natural leader and visionary like no other. He was charming, funny and a great motivator.  He was a lover of the sea.

He is survived by his “Bride” of 68 years, Alison; children, Ian (Miriam) and Daphne Greer (Ken); step-sister, Margot McKay; grandchildren, Tallulah, Emma, Maude, Rose, and Grace, “the loveliest girls you find in any place” which is how Hugh referred to them on a daily basis. His greatest pleasure was getting to know his great-grandchildren, Hugh, Penelope and Niyah. His eyes would light up a room whenever his family was around.

He was predeceased by his older brother, Robert MacNeil, who thankfully wrote about their childhood in his book “Wordstruck”, which was a daily comfort to Hugh in his later years and right up until his last breath as he listened to it being read. Hugh was also predeceased by his younger brother, Michael, whom he loved dearly.

Hugh graduated with the first class at College Militaire Royal de St. Jean, Quebec (1952-1955). He served for 38 years in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces from Cadet to Vice-Admiral. He served in 18 HMC ships, specializing in combat control and operations and he was the Commanding Officer of HMC “Saguenay” and “Algonquin”, Commandant of the Maritime Warfare Centre, Commander of the first Canadian Destroyer Squadron, and Commander of the Standing NATO Force Atlantic and the Chief of Staff Operations to the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in Norfolk VA and The Deputy Chief of Defence Staff in Ottawa. After leaving the Navy, Hugh served as a Founding Board member of the Transport Safety Board of Canada.

In “retirement” he was the founder and first Director of the Avon River Heritage Museum and one of two key partners in the building of the “Avon Spirit” and the Avon Spirit Shipyard. One of his greatest joys was in knowing that the Avon River Heritage Museum continues to flourish to this day. He was also on the Canadian Board of the International Classification Society, Germanischer Lloyd of Hamburg and General Electric.

He was the Chair of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust overseeing the modern restoration of the corvette HMCS Sackville.

Hugh’s recreational energy was used to sail which he did throughout his life. He built his own sail boat when his children were little. There was nothing he couldn’t tackle. He loved long walks and hard work and the various Irish Setters that rounded out his family.

His creative energy found expression in music and working with wood. He loved playing the clarinet for hours at a time. He was a member of the Windsor Orchestra and served too on the Board of the Quick as a Wink Theatre Society. Hugh kept up wood working right into his later years. He also kept up with his journal writing throughout his life and enjoyed re reading about his life right up until the end. He was an avid reader and was often found reading to his bride in the later years. He was a joy to be around and every morning he greeted those at Wallace Point with the most beautiful morning salutations that made everyone feel so special. The morning he died it seemed fitting that the tide was on its way out and seven eagles circled Wallace Point as seven was his lucky number.

He was a proud Canadian, who was appointed to be a Commander of the Order of Military Merit, one of the highest distinctions for Military service in Canada. He was however, a modest man, and an even prouder Nova Scotian. He will be dearly missed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A funeral service will be held 12:00 p.m. noon, Thursday, September 19, in St. John The Baptist Anglican Church, 908 Avondale Rd., Poplar Grove, burial will follow in Newport Landing Cemetery, which will be open to anyone who would like to join the family in remembering Hugh. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Avon River Heritage Museum, 17 Belmont Rd., Newport Landing, NS B0N 2A0. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca