Obituary of Lauchie MacNeil

It’s with absolutely broken hearts our family announces the passing of our beloved Dad, Grampie, Brother and Friend, Lauchie MacNeil.

Lauchie was born in Inverness, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. His early childhood was spent in Mabou and then Port Hawkesbury. At a young age he left Cape Breton for Sudbury, Ontario, where he started a long career in the mining industry. Lauchie married his beloved wife Mary and together they moved many times due to work, making many lifelong friendships along the way. While both true Cape Bretoners at heart, the family ended up settling in Sussex, NB in 1979 where Lauchie started a mining job with Cemetation. Sussex would be their forever home where Lauchie has resided ever since. 

Lauchie loved working as a miner and was very passionate about the trade, he loved to tell stories about working underground and would often reminisce with old mining friends. The joke in our family is that he “retired” several times because he kept going back for “one more job”. It was a career he later loved talking about with his Grandson, Kyle who followed in his footsteps.

Lauchie was known for his sense of humor, kind heart, his love for people and willingness to go on any adventure. In his 74^th year he knocked Scotland off the bucket list with his daughter, Valerie where they made some lifelong memories. Two years later, he and Valerie were packing their bags again to explore Italy and Switzerland. He was always up for any adventure, friends would often stop in at the house to pick him up for road trips leaving the rest of us wondering where he was at. Lauchie lived a very full life, never slowing down to his age. Lauchie was so loved and was many people’s “go to” person when they needed an extra hand or a friendly visit.

Of all the titles Lauchie held “Grampie Lauchie” was his favorite. He would let everyone know at any time how proud he was of Natalie and Kyle. He loved to tell stories from when they were little, it brought him and us the utmost joy. Despite hating the cold, he was at every hockey game cheering them on. Grampie’s presence was continual and devoted throughout our entire lives, if we were taking an exam, we knew grampie was praying for us, if it was snowing, we knew he was hoping we were off the roads, if we needed a drive home from the mule (yes even at 79 years old) he was on deck to drive us (and all of our friends) home. His presence in our life was noticed and felt by all so much that many of our childhood best friends, university roommates and cousins always referred to him as “Grampie Lauchie” too. Grampie was our best friend and our biggest cheerleader, we will miss him more than he will ever know.

Lauchie was predeceased by his wife, Mary (M.C.) Moran; his brother, Alexander MacNeil; his parents: Margaret (McMaster) and John Dougald MacNeil. Left to grieve is his daughter, Valerie and her husband Stephen Sharp; his grandchildren: Natalie (Garrett Lambke) and Kyle Sharp; his sisters: Mary Annette Greencorn and Marge Cluett; his nephews: Ian Cluett, Wade MacNeil and nieces: Nancy Greencorn and Kim Cluett. Also left to grieve is the entire extended Sharp family who took Lauchie in as their own for every holiday, birthday, and any celebrations. Lauchie was part of many different circles, touching so many people from far and wide with his friendship, all who will miss him dearly. 

We believe heaven is a beautiful place and that he is reunited with his best friend, Mary. God gained, as Grampie would say the “very best” angel with a golden heart and huge wings. We will end this with a smile because that is how Lauchie always left all of us, we hope heaven has the biggest piece of chocolate cake and an ice-cold glass of Pepsi waiting for you. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176) from where visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held from St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, September 14 at 11am. Lauchie will be laid to rest next to his wife in Wards Creek Cemetery immediately following the service. 

In memory of Lauchie, people can make a donation to donor's choice or please do a random act of kindness or share a smile with Lauchie in your heart.