Jack MacNeil

Big Pond, N.S.

It is with the greatest sorrow that we, the family, announce the death of our brother, uncle, and cousin Jack MacNeil, on November 6, 2025, under the expert and compassionate care of the 4th floor and palliative care staff in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

John Angus “Jack” MacNeil was born on August 25, 1934, in Big Pond, Cape Breton, the first child of John Duncan and Jessie Ann MacNeil, both of Big Pond. Aside from his time at St. Francis Xavier University, a brief stint working in Toronto, and several fulfilling years teaching in Mira and at Sydney Academy, he happily lived and worked for most of his life in Big Pond, retiring as principal of MacDonald Consolidated School.

Jack – “Jackie” to his family – was a man of varied and passionate interests, which he pursued and shared throughout his life. His interest in genealogy led him to uncover his family’s history back to Rory Breac and his descendants for the edification of his family and their descendants to come. His book From the Cove to the Glen: A Conversation with Joe Neil MacNeil does the same for the larger community and has garnered respect from experts in the field of genealogy. Jack’s love of music, particularly Celtic and folk music, drew him to many folk festivals and concerts in his youth and led him to be one of the founders of the Big Pond Scottish Concert, an event that attracted audiences in the thousands in its prime and that continues today to support Celtic music, in particular. However, anyone who had the privilege of being his student will remember him best for his creative and inspiring teaching, in all aspects of the standard curriculum, but particularly about the natural world, a curriculum he developed. Jack fostered a love and respect for nature in his students that most of them carried into adulthood. For many years, he was an integral participant in the annual Christmas bird count, and the expert birders who took part numbered among them several of his former students. Throughout his life, Jack was a pillar of the community and a friend to all.

Jack was predeceased by his parents; youngest brother, Raymond; sisters Mary and Sharon; sister-in-law Marie; brothers-in-law Laurie and Paul; cousin Josephine; nephew Brian; and grandniece Daniella. He is survived by his sister Genevieve and brother Donald, brother-in-law George, as well as his nieces Corinne MacNeil, Sheila Digout, Ann Marie MacNeil, Lorna MacNeil, Carol Digout, Susan Andrecyk, and Wendy Digout, and his nephews, John Gentles, Greg Andrecyk, Donnie MacNeil, Shawn Andrecyk, Raymond MacNeil, Blair Gentles, Jamie MacNeil, and Bobby Gentles, as well as his cousin Laurie, with whom he had a special bond, and his many grandnieces and grandnephews, all of whom hold him in the greatest esteem. He will be sadly mourned by his many friends, notably the MacInnis clan in its entirety, Mary “Ranny” MacIssac, Kevin MacNeil, and his many cousins.

Jack lived out his life in the house his grandfather built, this made possible in his later years by his nephew Donnie and niece Lorna, both Big Pond residents as well. His beautiful property is populated by trees, bushes, and flowers he planted over the years with others to mark significant occasions and relationships. The fields and the pond are visited by, and home to, rabbits, an occasional fox, and a great variety of birds.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 2-3 p.m., and a Funeral Service to follow at 3 p.m. all taking place in St. Mary’s Parish, Big Pond, with Fr. Antolin Asor presiding. Arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Dr., Sydney. 902-539-7175.

To share words of condolence to Jack’s family, please visit our website at www.tjtracey.com.