Neil Bottomley

BOTTOMLEY, Neil

Neil Bottomley passed away at Oilfields Hospital in Black Diamond, AB on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the age of 81 years with his dear friend and partner, Wendy Timmerman (nee Barnett) and his stepchildren, Maurice and Carole Ferland at his bedside. In his final days, Neil was comforted by the presence of his son, Les who travelled from Winnipeg to be with him as well as messages from his daughters who also reside in Winnipeg.

The youngest child of Thomas and Polly Bottomley, Neil was born on September 13, 1933, in Schreiber, ON.  Neil grew up and lived in Schreiber until age 38 and was fondly called Tony by his many friends. In 1956 he married Viola Connors and together they had six children. While living there, Neil worked for Kimberley Clarke paper mill in the pump house. He was an avid hockey player, and enjoyed hunting and fishing at his camp at Bear Lake. Following the passing of his mother, Neil relocated to Alberta and in 1972 he settled in Black Diamond, AB with his second wife, Monique.  Neil worked in the oil field industry starting with Regent Drilling as a rough neck in the Millarville area, then Bodar Drilling, working his way up to tool push on Rig #2. His work took him to many places throughout Southern Alberta but Black Diamond remained his home base. Upon retirement, Neil and Monique enjoyed spending their summers at Koocanusa Lake in British Columbia.  After Monique’s passing Neil enjoyed spending time with Wendy and their friendship grew into a permanent relationship. Together they enjoyed the company of their pets and took pleasure in the outdoors including getting firewood, fishing, camping and riding their ATV’s in the mountains. They also spent time winter camping at Koocanusa, where they watched over their friends’ campsites and cared for a feral cat population. Neil liked to keep busy and was always willing to help friends with whatever they needed built or fixing. Neil also made frequent trips to Winnipeg to visit his children and their families. Neil is lovingly remembered by his loving partner, Wendy; his first wife, Viola and their children,Cathy, Gail (Ted), Donna, Brenda (Ed), Les (Lise); grandchildren, Amanda, Shawna, Amber, Katrina, Garrett, Jacinda, Elliot, Stephanie, Justin; his great grandchildren, Alyssa, Rilen and Keira and Monique’s children. Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Polly Bottomley; son, Kevin; brothers, Wilfred, Jack, Spencer and Norman; sister, Dolly Guild and wife, Monique.

A Celebration of Neil’s Life will be held at the Griffiths Community Centre, 122 Government Road, Black Diamond, AB on Sunday, March 8, 2015  between 2 and 4pm. An Interment will follow at a later date in Schreiber, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Neil’s memory to the Sheep River Health Trust, 11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB. T1S 2E9 for Oilfields Hospital Palliative Care Unit or The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110^th Ave SE, Calgary, AB.  T2C 2T7 (www.calgaryhumane.ca) or a charity of your choosing.