DONALD ARCHIBALD McNEILL

McNEILL, DONALD ARCHIBALD July 7, 1940 - April 9, 2023 Don McNeill, son of Donald Charles and Gladys (Turnbull) McNeill, passed away peacefully at Collingwood General Hospital on April 9, 2023. He is survived by his dear wife of 60 years, Jo-Anne (Christie) McNeill; his children, Christie (Dan Tamblyn) McNeill and Andrew (Teresa Goncalves) McNeill; his grandchildren, Noah and Sienna McNeill; and his sister, Shirley (Ian) Rowe. Don was a lifelong student and avid reader. He earned B.A., M.Ed. and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Toronto, and an M.A. (Classics) from McMaster University. He attended Victoria College at University of Toronto where he made many lifelong friends and met his wife, Jo-Anne. He cherished his time at "Vic" and shared stories of his time in the Glee Club, theatre groups and debate club. He was Alumni President for his graduation year, 1962. Don spent most of his twenty year teaching career as Classics Department Head at North Toronto Collegiate. Don also held numerous administrative positions within the Toronto Board of Education and was a seasonal lecturer at Queen's University and University of Toronto. In 1982, Don switched careers and became a full-time student at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. After graduating, he joined the Shibley Righton law firm in Toronto where he practiced for many years as a litigator. Don and Jo-Anne eventually moved permanently to Wasaga Beach where Jo-Anne grew up. Don spent the later years of his legal career as a sole practitioner in Wasaga. He loved practicing law and through the years argued cases in all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Don enjoyed travelling. As the Head of Classics at North Toronto, Don annually took a group of students on archeological tours to Greece and Italy. He also spent many summers with Jo-Anne cruising around the Mediterranean. In later years, he and Jo-Anne spent every winter in Siesta Key, Florida, which they loved. Don was very proud of his Scottish heritage and welcomed any opportunity to put on his Scottish Highland formal wear, including his McNeill tartan kilt. One of his most treasured memories was locating his ancestral home in North Ardbeg, Scotland. Photos of the farm and a slate shingle off the family cottage sit proudly in the family dining room to this day. Don loved to take photographs and chronical family events in albums that he would spend hours assembling. He finished his last album, bringing the books up to date just days before he passed. Don will be missed beyond measure and remembered always by all that knew him, including those of us that had the privilege to call him husband, father and grandfather. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to St. Elizabeth Foundation (SEHC.com\Foundation\Donate), who so lovingly cared for him in recent months. A private immediate family gathering has been held to honour Don with a celebration of life to follow at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Lynn-Stone Funeral Home, Elmvale, Ontario.