Stewart Hector McNeil

London Free Press Nov 23 2005

McNEIL McNEIL At Watford Quality Care Centre on Monday, November 21, 2005, S. Hector McNeil of R.R. 7 Alvinston in his 85th year. Predeceased by his wife, Florence Beatrice (McLean) (1985) and his four sons, Ian, Barry, Leonard and infant son Robert. Survived by his daughters-in-law, Carolyn McNeil-Judas and Margaret Anne McNeil, and 2 granddaughters, Kathi McNeil and Barbara McNeil. Also survived by his sister, Lois Taylor and several nieces and nephews. Hector was a well respected Auctioneer in the area for nearly 40 years. Relatives and friends will be received at the Van Heck Funeral Home, 172 Symes St., Glencoe on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9p.m. where the funeral service will be held on Thursday, November, 24 at 1:30 p.m. Rev. Jo-Anne Symington officiating. Interment Alvinston Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation.

Glencoe Transcript & Free Press November 30, 2005 Auctioneer leaves a lasting memory Hector McNeil, Alvinston's own popular auctioneer, died Monday November 21 at Watford Quality Care Center. He had been ill for several weeks. He was 84 years old. McNeil was well known over a wide area of Southwestern Ontario, having plied his trade at many farm and house sales, at livestock sales in Hensall, Melbourne and other centers. His auctioneer's voice could be heard in any crowd and his keen sense of humour kept some at sales long after they had made their purchases. He could not only keep a crowd buying but laughing too. At an auction of the Fox sisters estate in Strathroy many years ago, he sold a three volume set of Robert Burns poetry books. He calmly told his wife, Florence, who was his bookkeeper, they were "sold to Mrs. Burns." She knew him well and wrote down the correct name. McNeil was a big man and stood head and shoulders above the crowds at sales. His traditional western style hat was also a trademark. He did not give up auctioneeing even when he left his farm on Rokeby Line to live at the nursing home in Watford. He autioned items at charity sales. McNeil will be remembered as an auctioneer but also for his kindness to his neighbors and his family. He was especially good to children and teens. His beloved team of horses with which he won prizes at local and international plowing matchesare still at his farm. He loved his teams and used them on his farm, enjoying the quietness of raking hay, plowing or seeding a field. McNeil is survived by his daughters-in-law, Margaret McNeil and Caorlyn McNeil-Judas and granddaughters Kathi McNeil and Barbara McNeil, sister Lois Taylor and several nieces and nephews. His wife Florence, and four sons Ian, Bary, Leonard and Robert predeceased hi. He was buried in Alvinston Cemetery.* Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Apr 25 2017, 21:12:18 UTC