Obituary of Donald Neil McCahill

Donald Neil McCahill, June 10, 1954- January 9, 2023.

Don passed peacefully on Monday after having suffered a stroke in October; he was 68 years old.

Don is survived by sisters Willa (Hugh) Greenwood, Jackie McCahill (Mike Grellette), and Andi (Doug) Wituik. He also leaves behind nephews and nieces Andrew Greenwood (Yuli Piñeros), Paula (Dave) Primmett, Amanda (Dan) Maclam, Tom Genovy, Great Uncle to Claire, and Ben. 

He was predeceased by parents Donna Marie McCahill (nee D’Anna) and Robert Neil McCahill, beloved grandmother Nora McCahill (nee Lapham) and nephew Robert James (Jimmy) McCahill.

Don always took great pride in his work, initially in the newspaper business working for or owning papers including Carlton Place Canadian, Arnprior Gazette, Renfrew Mercury, Brockville Recorder & Times, The Sarnia Observer, Thedford Tribune, Gravelbourg Gazette, Wayburn Review, and North Vancouver News.
Following this Don became an educator, working for Westervelt College, Embanet, Fanshawe College (part time professor), and Lambton College (instructional designer). 

His family will remember him as someone who loved baking, working with computers, reading, and writing. Alongside this came a love of learning that pushed him to become the first in his family to graduate university, earning himself a degree in Education from Brock University. He also enjoyed travelling, and had particularly fond memories of the time he spent in Scotland. 

His family would like to thank the amazing nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers at Bluewater Health for working so hard to make his stay comfortable and his transition to death easy. In lieu of flowers they ask that donations be made to the Bluewater Health Stroke Rehab Unit or the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation. Don hoped to be able to pass on the gift of life through organ donation; though he wasn’t able to, his family would like to honour his memory by encouraging others to sign their donor cards or visit sarniaorgandonors.ca. Cremation has taken place and a private family burial will happen at a later date.

“So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye”   

Online condolences may be left at www.forestfuneralhome.com    Memorial donations may be made to Bluewater Health Stroke Rehabilitation department (cheques accepted at the Funeral Home) or may be mailed to 89 Norman Street, Sarnia, Ontario N7T 6S3.   Funeral arrangements entrusted to DENNING'S OF FOREST