(Photo Supplied: Dave McNeilly at the Fort McMurray Public School Dedication Ceremony for a new school in Parsons Creek. FMPSD/WEB).
Condolences are being shared to the family of a former educator and politician. Dave McNeilly died Tuesday at the age of 81. McNeilly and his family moved to Conklin in the early 1960s. In 1967, the Northlands School Division selected his as the first Principal of Dr. K.A.Clark Elementary School.
By 1971, he ran for town council and was part of the push against a proposed residential development at MacDonald Island, so a recreation facility could be built. A decade later, he sat on the board at Keyano College and was instrumental in developing the Keyano College Satellite Campus in Fort Chipewyan.
In recent years, he’s lent his voice to the fight for an Aging in Place Centre downtown. Even though he used a respiratory device, and needed to stop for breaths at council meetings, he spoke out for seniors who want the Centre built at Willow Square.
McNeilly often said he wouldn’t live to see the Aging and Place Centre become a reality, but he did get to see the Fort McMurray Public School Board name its newest facility after him during a dedication ceremony last year. Dave McNeilly School will be home to 600 students.
McNeilly was a husband, father of four, grandfather to 12 and great grandfather of seven. A celebration of his life is scheduled for July 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Fort McMurray First United Church. In lieu of flowers, his family asks to make donations to the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.
