Neil Mcfadden

Neil John McFadden of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away at home Sunday evening, October 29, 2023, with his loving wife Kathy at his side after a long, courageous battle with several debilitating illnesses in the last quarter of his life. Known by several names throughout his rich and interesting life (“Butch” to his parents, “Ned” to his in-laws, and “that Crazy Canuck” to his first employer in high school), Neil was one of those people who made a lasting impression on just about everyone he got to know.

Born September 13, 1953, the second child of Neil and Lenora McFadden of Windsor, Ontario, Neil spent much of his life in the Midwest, growing up in Downers Grove, Illinois. He graduated in 1971 from Downers Grove North High School and continued his education at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, before earning his degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Florida International University in Miami, Florida in 1975.

Neil met his wife of 47 years, Kathy (Foley) McFadden, while working as a soda jerk and fry cook at the Last Word Restaurant in Downers Grove during his high school years. They were married on May 1, 1976, and together raised two children: Tiffany McFadden-Seeberger and Neil William McFadden. His family meant the world to him and he loved them deeply in his own personal style with wit, realism and valuable advice.

Following graduation from FIU, Neil worked several jobs in the hotel and restaurant industries, first in Cincinnati, Ohio, for Holiday Inn; then returning to Chicago area to manager Carriage Greens, a country club in suburban Darien, and to work at Tri-County Headstart; and ultimately moving to southwest Michigan, where he and his wife owned and operated the food truck, Neil’s Concessions, a fixture at many festivals and events, and the Phoenix Grill in Watervliet, Michigan.

A self-taught, “Jack of all trades,” Neil was a skilled craftsman and carpenter who liked nothing better than investing his time and energies into building and fixing things. He always had a project in the works, even up to the last days of his life.

An avid outdoorsman, Neil enjoyed recreational fishing and boating when he wasn’t working on crafts, cooking at the Grill, or caring for his dogs. He and his wife owned and operated a kennel for breeding showing pedigreed Newfoundlands in various competitions throughout the country, winning several top awards.

Neil is survived by his wife Kathy of Battle Creek and his children Tiffany and Neil, both of Battle Creek; his mother Lenora of Pembroke, Ontario; his older sister Patricia of Barry’s Bay, Ontario; his younger brother Stephen (Victoria) of Campbellford, Ontario; his younger sister Margie of Pembroke, Ontario; his grandchildren Grady, Bobbi Grace, Isabelle, Charlotte and Delilah; his nieces and nephews Sarah, Morgan and Orrin, and many loving members of his extended family, including Amanda and Sarah Beth. Neil was

preceded in death by his father Neil McFadden of Pembroke, Ontario, and his son-in-law Bob Seeberger of Battle Creek, Michigan.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the medical staff at the Cleveland Clinic, who treated Neil with care and compassion for many years during his health struggles; Elara Caring Hospice for their care and concern in the last days of his life; and especially Dr. Jamie Longhurst, his personal physician, whose dedication and skills added cherished years to Neil’s life.

Neil lived by these words, “If you haven’t the best of everything, make of the best of everything you have. And if you do good, you’ll do well.” Per Neil’s request, there will not be an organized service. He asked that, if so inclined, donate to the Ride Janie Ride Foundation (www.ridejanieride.org), a children’s cancer charity that he supported, and to raise a glass of your favorite beverage in remembrance of him with people you love. Peace.