We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal Neil Bernard McKinnon, CD (Ret'd) of North Sydney NS on 30 November 2013.
Neil was born in Cambridge ON. During his high school years, he was a member of the 21 Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada Army Cadet Corps in Cambridge. Was a skilled athlete and played AAA hockey in the Tillsonburg Ontario Minor Hockey Association. Before joining the Regular Force, Neil served in the Cape Breton Highlanders in Sydney. During his recruit training at CFB Cornwallis, he received an honourable mention for Skill at Arms.
Neil trained as a Firefighter and spent much of his career at CFB Greenwood, NS. In 2000, he was very badly injured while responding to an on-base house fire. Trapped on the upper floor of the house, Neil suffered severe lung damage and he broke bones when he jumped to the ground.
Neil left the Forces soon after and returned home to Cape Breton. Despite his injuries and suffering from PTSD, his desire to continue serving his community compelled him to offer his services to the North Sydney Volunteer Fire Department. This passion to serve and protect was a reflection of his career choice and lifestyle. His courageous personality formed the basis of his life and his dedication to his family was steadfast. Neil died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after 13 years of continued public service.
Visitation for Neil will be held from 2 until 4 PM and from 7 until 9 PM on Wednesday 4 December in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral mass celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Nova Scotia Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, P.O. Box 481, Dartmouth Main, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 3Y8, phone 902-835-0166.
