Neil Thomas Holmes

Neil Holmes passed away at 4:30 am on Monday, November 27, 2023, with his wife by his side, after courageously fighting a nine-month battle with cancer.

Neil Thomas Holmes was born on July 3, 1961 to Glen and Sylvia (Coates) Holmes of Lyleton, MB. Neil was a younger brother to Calvin and Dwight and a big brother to Kathy. Growing up, he enjoyed farming with his dad, bird hunting, trapping, camping, and snowmobiling with his family and friends.

Neil drove a semi and worked for various oil companies, with the latest being Melita Resources. In 2000, he married Marj Halliday. He settled into family life with Marj and her three girls, Jenna, Stephanie, and Brittanie. Marj and Neil added another daughter to their family in 2011 when Meagan came to live with them.

Neil made friends all over the country, including Saskatchewan, Southern Manitoba, and Northern Manitoba.

Neil enjoyed visiting with friends at the coffee shop and in the oil patch and happy hour. He enjoyed his four daughters and son-in-law and being a grandpa to two grandsons. He enjoyed gardening and building furniture for almost every room in our house, and he loved his dogs. He was a loving and supportive husband, even when it came to his wife's eccentric hobbies.

Left with wonderful memories are his wife, Marj (Maggie); his daughters, Jenna and Stephanie Halliday, Brittanie (Scott) Manson, Luka and Solomon (Chip), and Meagan Holmes; brother, Calvin (Joan) Holmes, Brett, Staci (Riley Fornwald) Remi, brother, Dwight Holmes, Jeffery and Katie Holmes; sister, Kathy (Bob) Patterson, Tyler (Morgan) Patterson and Cassandra (Matt) Sheffield, Paxton and Kylynn; uncles and aunts, Gordon and Linda Holmes, Audrey Clark and Gloria Holmes, Francis McCannell, and many cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Glen and Sylvia Holmes; mother-in-law, Marvyn Robertson; niece, Kara Smith; and cousin, Brad McCannell.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses who provided exceptional care to Neil in Melita, Virden, Brandon, and Winnipeg hospitals.  As well as the Melita Home Care and Palliative Care nurses.

A public funeral service for Neil was held at the Pierson Community Hall, Pierson, MB. on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Paul Kimball officiating. The interment took place at the Pierson Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Neil can be directed to Pierson Rec rejuv c/o Munc. Of Two Borders, Box 100, Pierson, MB. R0M 1S0(add Rec Rejuv in the memo).  Etransfers to (info@twoborders.ca).  Or to Pierson Cemetery Fund (c/o Municipality of Two Borders) 

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