In loving memory ~
Neil passed away with his devoted wife Viv and sons Greg and Lee and special friend Brenda Vissers at his side. His favourite song Ah Sweet Mystery of Life sung by Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy filled the room with golden sound as his soul began his journey to the other side. Love and gratitude for the wonderful life Neil shared with his loving family is held forever in their hearts. Left to mourn is Neil's daughter Michele and Terry Halleran of Meadow Creek, grandson Jaeger Johnson and his fiancé Tarryn of Kelowna, granddaughter Jessica Power and her husband Hayden and darling great grandson Xander of Calgary. His other very special grandchildren are Luke and Addison and their Mom Lisa Reinhart and Falyn Reinhart and her mother Shelly Wade. Neil's only remaining sibling is Judy Geddes of Edmonton and her husband Harvey and their son Darren. Judy is grateful for having had two special visits with her brother Neil in the past two years.
Neil's life began in Edmonton being the oldest of three siblings and son to Ned and Thelma Reinhart. Always enterprising as a young man Neil found ways to help the family and to pay for his university where he studied geology and philosophy and played hockey for the university team. He left school to join Scott Paper starting in sales and went into marketing and management with Scott in Vancouver. There he married Rose Koncar and then he left corporate life to start Granny's Chicken in Alberni and to start their family with Lee and Greg.
Neil had a curious and active mind and had a penchant for living the examined life. Philosophy and spirituality occupied a large part of his musings and politics or any controversial subject made for lively debate. His life long interest in healthy living lead him to USANA Health Sciences in 1995 and Neil became a top distributor with a large following. Through this business he met Vivian (Wylie) Low who also had a keen interest in health as she travelled the world with CPAir and then Canadian Airlines. They married in 2000 and the whole family embraced this union and they lived a life of family, travel and adventure. People from all over the world came to stay at the Flying Cloud Bed and Breakfast that they opened in 2004 and this satisfied their passion for hospitality. They were blessed with wonderful neighbours enjoying a yearly pot luck dinner which was the scene of delicious meals and camaraderie. Neil was also a member of Gyro for years and recently with Probus meeting new friends.
Neil's descent into dementia took away his memories but his family were still very much a part of his consciousness til the end. He was a good father, husband, brother, uncle, grand father and friend and had a life well lived. Many thanks to Avenir Memory Care for their compassion and love for Neil and his whole family for the last seven months of his life. And many thanks for the love and support of family and friends at this time.
Celebration of life is planned for the fall.
