Local health care loses dedicated volunteer

Saturday January 5, 2008
Brantford Expositor
by Michael-Allan Marion

David Neill led fundraising campaigns for hospital projects

The sudden passing of "quiet, humble but effective" fundraiser and volunteer extraordinaire David Neill represents nothing short of a major blow to the city, say health care and other community leaders.

Many have responded with shock and sorrow as word spread that Mr. Neill, who distinguished himself in a career at W. Ross MacDonald School for the Blind and inspired volunteers in an array of health-care organizations and foundations, died from the effects of a brain aneurysm that struck him when he was celebrating his 65th birthday.

The prominent Rotarian was on vacation in the Caribbean when an aneurysm burst Tuesday. He was rushed to a hospital in Florida for emergency treatment which was not successful.

In respect, the flag outside Brantford General Hospital was lowered to half-mast.

Rick Woodcock, CEO of the Brant Community Healthcare System, said Friday he is still inshock at the news considering he had just talked to Mr. Neill before he left for the Caribbean.

"I remember him saying he was looking forward to celebrating his birthday on the beach," said Woodcock.

"This is all so sad. He gave so freely of his time as a member of the hospital's board of governors and a leader in task forces and fundraising campaigns. He will be sorely missed."

Woodcock recalled Mr. Neill's work in such fundraising endeavours as leading the successful LifeLine campaign in 1988-89 to raise $10 million to replace obsolete operating rooms; the $20 million Caring for Health campaign in 1999; and the $3 million campaign to buy an MRI machine that celebrated success this past September.

Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock lauded Mr. Neill as a gentleman and community booster.

"If there was anyone who gave back, it was him," said Hancock. "His efforts over so many years have had an effect in improving the quality of health care in Brantford and beyond."

Mr. Neill worked as a teacher at W. Ross MacDonald School until he was named a superintendent in 1962.

He took a seat in the Brantford General Hospital board of directors in 1988 and later became chairman for two years until 1996. After that he moved to the board of the BGH Foundation.

He was also a member and later chairman of a community health task force, whose main mission was to recruit health professionals to locate in Brantford.

Former city mayor Chris Friel recalled an anecdote about Mr. Neill from the period when the task force was being set up in 2001.

"I really wanted him on it because of his talents," said Friel. "Yet there he was wondering to me if he really had anything to contribute. One of the things I admired about David was that he was so incredibly humble, and yet he was so effective."

"He had so many more years to give and it was unfortunate that he was taken from us. My heart really goes out to his family."

Mr. Neill is survived by his wife Margot; five children, Paige Steciuk, Stacy, Johnathon, David and Andrew; and six grandchildren.