Chronicle Herald August 16, 2007 CHISHOLM, Neil Gillis - April 9, 1947-August 12, 2007, died peacefully at home after a courageous battle with gall bladder cancer in Mississauga, Ont., surrounded by his loving family. Neil is survived by his best friend and devoted wife, Catherine (O'Neil); son, Blaine (Hilary), and daughter, April (Jonathan). Neil was predeceased by his father, who passed away when Neil was a young boy; his beloved Mom and twin brother, Sandy. Neil's love of family, laughter and storytelling will be deeply missed by his cherished brothers, sisters and their families, Donnie (Doreen), Gerard (Peggy), Mary Florence (Johnnie), Josie (Frank), John Reggie (Anne); aunts, Margaret and Lena; sister-in-law, Marguerite; his many cousins, nephews and nieces. Neil grew up in Ohio, Antigonish Co. As a young man he tried many ventures from working in the nickel mines in Sudbury, Ont., to finally settling on his trade as a drywaller/painter and carpenter residing in Vancouver, B.C., where he lived for over 25 years. Neil never forgot his roots and the people who were important to him. He returned to Antigonish as often as he could to visit with family and friends. He especially enjoyed visiting with the older generation who were good to him and his family growing up, and especially the town and county's storytellers. Neil will always be remembered for his love of people, his positive attitude, his love of a great story and the retelling of a great story. One of Neil's greatest joys was meeting the "storytellers" or "characters" in the towns, counties or cities he visited across Canada. It did not matter how many times he heard a funny story, he laughed as hard each time as if it was the first time he had heard it. His storytelling talent will live on in his daughter April, nephews Chet and Jamie and his cherished friend and cousin Benny Druhan. Neil's love of young people saw no bounds. He was always there to offer them a helping hand or give them a "kick" when they needed it. When others could not, Neil always saw the good in them. He believed in them and saw them as our future. After many surgeries, Neil lost his leg in 1989, but he never allowed his leg amputation to be his handicap. He never saw himself as handicapped. He carried the message that "you are only handicapped if you want to be", by visiting rehabilitation centres in Vancouver and Toronto, bringing a message of hope and a vision that, despite your handicap, you can overcome almost all obstacles. He was a volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross, repairing wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc. Neil volunteered at the prosthetic school offering his assistance to the students learning how to build prosthetics in both Vancouver and Toronto. Neil's greatest joy was his family, his wife Catherine, and adored children Blaine and April. As they became young adults facing life's normal challenges their role model was their "pops" or "papa" as they called him. Their dad's motto "take life one day at a time" will give them the strength to face the loss of their dad. Neil's family invites you to join them in a celebration of his life at MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish, where visitation will be today from 7-9 p.m. and Friday, August 17, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph's Church, St. Joseph's, Antigonish Co., on Saturday, August 18, at 10 a.m., Rev. Syd Mifflen presiding. Reception to follow at St. Joseph's Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The War Amps of Canada or Sick Children's Hospitals. On-line condolences can be made at: www.macisaacs.ca God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change... Courage to change the things I can... And wisdom to know the difference.