Obituary of Neil MacMullen

70, Welsford, Kings Co., passed away suddenly on Wednesday January 21, 2009, at home. Born in Barrington, Shelburne Co., he was the eldest son of the late Harvard and Marguerite (Watt) MacMullen. Neil was dearly loved by his wife, Lorraine (Palmer) MacMullen, and he will be deeply missed by her. Neil is also survived by his daughters, Patricia (Alan) Hood, St. Thomas, Ont.; Judith (John) Gagnon, Likely, B.C.; step-son, Andrew (Christianne) Bezanson, Port Alberni, B.C.; step-daughter, Jaime (Gabriel) Sanchez, Huntersville, NC; grandchildren, Jordan, Corey, Jeremy, Kelsey, Rebecca, Pierce, Richard, Ella and Nora; great-grandson, Bronson; brothers, Scott (Marci) MacMullen, Yarmouth; Craig (Rosalind) MacMullen, Centreville, Kings Co.; sister, Angela (David) McGinnis, Bridgewater; several nieces and nephews; father and mother-in-law, Norman and Ina Palmer, Berwick. Neil was a graduate of Ryerson Technical College, and then began a long and illustrious radio career by starting a radio station in Woodstock, N.B. with several fellow graduates. He moved for a time to NB Tel where he rose quickly to various management positions. Radio was his passion, and he returned to it, managing stations in Bathurst and in Truro. In 1979 Neil purchased Annapolis Valley Radio, and saw the company through both corporate growth and as a major presence in all Valley communities. He sold AVR in 1998, retiring to countless community activities, his woodlot, his family, and his animals. An enthusiastic volunteer, Neil chose activities which he felt were important to his community or to individuals in the community, and worked tirelessly for whatever cause he might be involved in at the moment. He was very proud to say he was a member of that dedicated group of blood donors who had surpassed the 50-donor mark. His passion for animals and animal welfare led him to be a volunteer with the SPCA, and he and Lorraine on their own rescued countless dogs and cats; visitors to their house were never surprised to see yet another dog greet them. Neil acted both locally and nationally; he had a huge interest in government and politics, and his views led him to the Liberal Party of Canada, where he held various positions of leadership in both West Nova and Kings West. The residents of Grand View Manor in Berwick loved Neil; he was a bus driver volunteer, and treated his passengers as though they were his parents. Neil loved nature and the sea. Whether he was sitting in his woodlot, calling to the blue jays to come for some seeds or sailing in the British Virgin Islands, he felt a real calling to the outdoors and all that was there. He was a good steward of his own land, cutting, pruning, and planting wisely. Neil was possessed with a strong sense of wanderlust and adventure, often saying that he couldn't wait to see what was around the next corner. No possibilities were impossibilities for Neil - his life attitude made the term ‘positive thinking' seem weak. He was a generous and passionate man.There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Funeral service for Neil will take place 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 25, in Berwick Baptist Church, 265 Commercial St., Berwick. Rev. Marilyn Rose will officiate, with a reception to follow in the church annex. Donations in Neil's memory may be made to the Kings Co. S.P.C.A., P.O. Box 248, Kentville, N.S., B4N 3W4, or to the Cardiac Rehab Program c/o the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 911, Kentville, N.S., B4N 4H8. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 192 Commercial St., Berwick, N.S,. B0P 1E0, (902 538-9900). Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.hclindsayfuneralhome.ca In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln