With heavy hearts Hugh’s family announces his sudden passing. He is survived by his loving wife Jocelyn and his children Gordon (Kerrie), Deborah, Alix (Bob), Laura (Anthony), Cameron (Ingrid), Tenley (Peter), grandchildren Logan, Jessi, Georgia, Erik, Henry, Andrew, Luke, Tessa, his first wife Donna, Hugh’s cousin Marion Blott and her family, Jocelyn’s brother-in-law Neville Nankivell (Peggy) and his sons Will and Jeff and their families.
Hugh adored his children and grandchildren and was their greatest supporter in all their endeavours.
Son of Dorothy and Cameron MacNiel, Hugh was born in Cleveland, OH. He attended High school at Ridley College, St. Catherine’s, Ontario and while cricket tour of Western Canada, he fell in love with Vancouver.
Hugh graduated from medicine at the University of Toronto, interned in Edmonton and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery training in Vancouver. He was a dedicated and caring surgeon. While seeing patients or teaching medical students at St. Paul’s Hospital, he was aways a kind and patient listener.
In 1965, Hugh was a founding member of the Whistler Mountain Doctors Ski Patrol, volunteering for 32 years. When not on the mountain, his spare time was spent sailing and working on his beloved sailboat the Vogad; 50 year member of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Summers with family and friends at the cabin on Bowen Island were special times for all of us.
Our memories of Hugh’s jackknife from the dock diving board at the cabin and his love of dancing will be forever remembered.
Family members have held a virtual celebration sharing their stories. We will gather with Hugh’s many friends to celebrate his life at a later date.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die”. Scottish poet Thomas Campbell