Conrad "Connie" MacNeil

Acadia University and the family & friends of Connie MacNeil welcome you to join us in a celebration and fond recognition of Connie's esteemed life. Our celebration will be hosted by Acadia University on Saturday June 15th at the new Acadia Arena. Please RSVP as soon as possible online at https://go.acadiau.ca/Athletics/ConnieMacNeil/connie1.jsp , or, phone the Box Office locally at 542-5500, or, long distance at 1-800-542-8425. Doors will be open at 3:30 with a start time of 4:00. We welcome everyone to honour Connie's memory and applaud his lasting contribution through his personal and professional endeavours.

Conrad "Connie" MacNeil was born in Reserve Mines, Cape Breton on Feb. 16, 1929. In 1946 Connie served with the armed forces before returning to Glace Bay High to complete his secondary education and graduated in 1949. He played rugby, hockey, and track and was active in the high school glee club and played a leading role in the high school operetta, directed by the late Ron MacDonald - former VP here at Acadia. Connie worked in the coal mines for two summers (underground) before coming to Acadia in Sept.'49. He played rugby and hockey for four years and dabbled a bit in track & baseball. Worked as a waiter in McConnell Hall four years and was in the COTC program all four years. Connie and his wife Myrt graduated together with their teaching degrees in 1953. In 1953 he was commissioned as a Second-Lieutenant (Royal Canadian School of Infantry). He was named Valley Hockey League MVP - '49-'50. He decided not to re-enter the regular military force as an officer and opted to train as a Specialist P.E. teacher. Major Kelly was influential in that decision. Connie was employed at Oxford Regional in '53 along with six other Acadia grads. The principal Doug Craig and his vice, John Frauzel were also Acadia grads. In 1958, Connie moved to Pugwash Dist. High as vice-principal and in '64 to Horton as Dept. Head for Health and Physical Education. He was the officer in charge of the Cadet Corps and also became quarter-master of the West Nova Scotia Reg't at Aldershot. In 1971 he was awarded a sabbatical leave to complete course requirements for a Masters degree in Physical and Health Education. In 1972 Connie was named Curriculum Supervisor for P.E. for Kings Co. and in 1980, was promoted to Area Supervisor for Western Kings Co. During this time he remained associated with the Physical Ed. program at Acadia, teaching extension courses to classroom teachers and principals and assisting in coaching and refereeing. In 1980, with a group of local alumni, Connie formed the 'Blueline Club' to assist the hockey program. He served on the planning and building committee for the new Acadia Arena under the leadership of Don MacLeod which opened in 1988. During his 10 years at H.D.H.S., Horton's P.E. program was closely integrated with Acadia's teacher training program and both parties benefitted from the cooperation. Acadia's fledgling teachers gained experience while Horton student athletes had the use of Acadia's athletic fields, track, rink and pools. Many student athletes were attracted to Acadia and are now proud Acadia Alumni. One of Connie's fondest memories was to coach his Canada Games Soccer Team in 1969. It was his Horton High school team bolstered by a few additions. Nine of these players came to Acadia as student athletes. Connie's sports accomplishments, too numerous to mention, include Club Super Seniors champion at Ken-Wo (2 years), N.S. Singles Handball Champion - 1975 and National Doubles Consolation Handball Champion with partner John "Packy" McFarland - 1982. Connie held offices as Pres. Teachers' Ass'n for Physical Education, N.S. Board Member for CAHPER, N.S. Board Member for NSSAF, Acadia Alumni Board Member and Hip, Hip, Hooray! (Canadian Orthopedic Foundation) hall of fame member. In recent years Connie was inducted into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame. As well, the Bragg Family Foundation Scholarship was established as 'The Connie MacNeil Scholarship' and this year received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He is survived by his wife, the former Myrtle MacCready; a daughter, Margie (Brad) MacIntosh, Avonport; three sons, David (Bev), Greenfield; Andrew, Wolfville; Phillip (Denise), Newtonville Road; three brothers, Eric (Kay), Toronto; Lawrence (Shirley), Reno, Nevada; George (Nan), Mira River, Cape Breton; a sister-in-law, Shirley, Mira River, Cape Breton; two grandsons, Dustin and Madison; a great grandson, Lane; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Sandy (and his wife, Audrey). Cremation has taken place. There will be a visitation on Thursday, May 9, 2013 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. A celebration of Connie's life will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the Atlantic Theatre Festival, Wolfville (at a time to be announced). Donations in memory may be made to enhance the Bragg Family Foundation Scholarship in Connie's name, Parkinson Society Canada, Valley Regional Hospital or the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.