Neil was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and grew up in Regina and Edmonton. He started his health related career as a registered nurse and after over 30 years, ended his career working for the Alberta Government as an assistant deputy minister in the area of public health.
Since retiring Neil and his husband, Richard MacDonald, moved from Edmonton to Victoria in 2014 and became members of Christ Church Cathedral (CCC). Since that time Neil has been a Warden, on numerous CCC committees/ministries (finance, stewardship, music committee chair, telephone ministry, etc.), Cathedral Council, sidesperson, Lay Eucharistic Minister and front of house for music concerts held at the Cathedral.