It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Neil Proctor Pole in his 97th year on Monday Feb. 12th, 2024 at Vision Nursing and Rest Home.
Neil is survived by his best friend and loving wife of 68 years, Fay (nee Terry), much loved father of Doug (Sharon) - Oakville, Dianne – Sarnia, and Janet (Kevin) – London. Grandfather of Shannon (Brian) – Toronto, Frazer (Reneé) – Burlington, and Stuart (Emma) – Oakville. Predeceased by his parents Willard and M. Grace (nee Proctor), and greatly missed brothers, both navigators in the RCAF during WW II. Flight Officer Ross Norman was shot down over France in 1944, and Flight Officer Douglas Campbell was shot down over Germany, also in 1944. As a result, Remembrance Day was always a very emotional day for Neil and his parents.
Neil was born at Sarnia General Hospital June 13, 1927, graduated from S.C.I.T.S, the University of Western Ontario, and the School of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto. He then worked in Montreal as a sales representative for pharmaceutical company Ayerst McKenna & Harrison for 2 years. While in Montreal he went to Toronto for a Grey Cup game and on a blind date he met the love of his life, Fay. Neil was subsequently transferred to St. Catharines and he and Fay were married in Burlington in 1955. In 1956 they moved to Sarnia where Neil took over his fathers pharmacy at the corner of Mitton and Wellington. He enlarged and modernized the store as Neil Pole Pharmacy, and later expanded with a second store in the Oak Acres Plaza on Cathcart Blvd. Neil filled his childhood summers swimming and sailing at the family cottage on Lake Huron. He later purchased the cottage to build a home where he and his family lived for 45 years – enjoying all that lake living has to offer plus as a wonderful place for the grandchildren to visit their grandparents, aka the “Beach Buddies”. They subsequentially moved to an apartment on Sandy Lane where they could continue to enjoy the water while watching all the boat activity in the Sarnia Yacht Club and under the Bluewater Bridge.
He was a proud Sarnian who was an early member of the Seaway Kiwanis Club, a long-time member of Grace United Church, and a member for 62 years of the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club, actively golfing and curling well into his 80’s. He enjoyed listening to music, including attending the International Symphony Orchestra and the Sarnia Concert Association series for many years. In retirement he was also an ardent supporter of Sarnia General Hospital and served on their board for a number of years. Over the years Neil and Fay travelled extensively, visiting six of the seven continents, and had many fond memories of their adventures.
Neil will be remembered as a well-respected pharmacist and business man, also as a gentleman, a kind and caring person. He also had great sense of humour and wit, especially when playing games like Scattegories with his family.
We would like to express our deep gratitude to the PSW’s from VON while Neil was still at home, and the staff at Vision Nursing Home (Superior Wing) during his final years, for the care and compassion they showed to him.
As an expression of sympathy please consider a donation to the Bluewater Health Foundation Sarnia, or charity of your choice (cheques only at the funeral home). Visitation will be on Saturday, March 2nd from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia with a service to start at 2:30 p.m.