William Neil Kennedy

Peacefully on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, Neil Kennedy passed away at Portage District General Hospital at the age of 80 years.

Neil was owner/operator of Kennedy Landscaping for 41 years. With doing the work that he loved, he never considered “retirement.” He was mechanically inclined, innovative, and resourceful.

Neil lived his life fully while doing the things he loved to do.  He had a passion for fishing – he was a commercial fisherman on Lake Manitoba in the winter and on that ol’ beloved Whitemud River in the spring. He fished for sport every season and on every vacation.

He had a spirit of adventure and a twinkle in his eye. He was charismatic and a smooth dancer – had his own unique fox trot. He loved conversation and held his friends in high regard. He had these funny country slang quotes he would shoot out that would catch you off guard and make you chuckle.  He loved spending time with family and always had someone around him. He enjoyed baseball, curling, cards, dominos, and playing crib.  He loved babies and dogs and often had at least one of them as a travelling companion.

Neil was well travelled and seemed to know every back road in the province. He had many trips to Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Cancun, Belize, and across Canada and the United States.   He was a member of the Portage Flying Club and piloted his own piper cub.

He was an avid hunter and trapper, he could track any animal or tire and he passed on his knowledge and skills to the next generations. Neil had a keen sense of direction at all times, even up to his last days.

Neil was blessed with the friendship of Mel Kennedy, The Dinwoodie Boys - Ted, Joe, and Tom, Al Klippenstein, Doug Dow, Wally Reid, Jake Hofer, Rick Yaskiw, John Hewitt, and Glen Hannah.

Left to cherish Neil’s memory are his wife Sandra; children Hugh  (Jovette Arcand), Cheryl (Don Courcelles), Lisa (Rob Painter), Tracey (Brian Taylor); grandchildren Jesse (Tara), Tyrone (Ember), Chantal (Daniel), Jessica (Scott), Melissa (Dylan), Jennifer (Rodney); great-grandchildren Jakob and Isla; sister Alice (George) Fraser; brother-in-law Albert Pulak; niece Tammy (Ken) Schreyer; nephew Tim (Nicki) North and family; aunt Joyce Kirschman; special niece Denise Betteridge; extended family and friends.  He was predeceased by his parents Sam and Lucy Kennedy; sisters Ora (Ron) North and Joyce Pulak.

Celebration of Neil’s life will take place on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Trinity United Church, led by Rev. Julie Baker.  Interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Neil’s memory to Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), 121 12th St. NE, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 4A2 or Sunset Palliative Care Inc, Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3B2.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com