Neil grew up in Haldimand County – the second of 5 children. He had an older sister Ruth and a younger sister, Judy. He and his brothers, Ron, and George had the typical antics of three boys growing up close together. With them, he developed an interest in harness horse racing which would eventually lead him to new directions and opportunities.
Neil and Irene met in the Haldimand Norfolk area and married in 1959. As a couple with three young children, Cheryl, Scott, and Leslie, they surprised everyone and moved north to Bruce County, the snow belt, in the middle of February 1968. They were ready to start a new adventure farming and training standardbred horses with Clements Farms at R.R. #2 Dobbinton. Neil loved this work and the experiences with harness horse racing, and he eventually owned and drove his own horses. Horse racing excitement was something that the entire family enjoyed and brought many treasured family memories and experiences. Neil worked for Clements farms for 40 years, but proudly noted after he kept helping in his retirement, that he fixed those fences for 50 years in total! He was a reliable, hard worker who took pride in his family and in a job well done – whether that was building a fence, ploughing a field, or keeping a large, beautiful, perfectly cut, dandelion-free lawn.
Neil loved to talk and tell stories and would talk to almost anyone at any time. Favourite topics were weather facts and the Montreal Canadiens. As a lifelong fan he boasted about their victories, and he loved to remind those poor Toronto Maple Leaf fans about the number of Stanley cups Montreal had won and how long since Toronto’s last.
Neil was also actively involved in the curling communities in Tara, Chesley, and Paisley and traveled to competitive bonspiels all over Ontario. He could remember almost all his shots (good and bad) and when he eventually put up his broom, he enjoyed calling curling shots while watching at home with Irene.
The 1984 farm death of Scott, who at the age of 22 had chosen to farm with his dad for the summer before his last year of university, hurt. Neil experienced the deep unimaginable loss that comes with the death of a child. It changed his life but with time and the love and support of Irene, Cheryl, and Leslie, he and Irene built new interests to add to curling – including karate, lawn bowling, making, and selling apple pies to support the Grade 8 Ottawa trip at Arran Tara school (one year over 730 pies), and together they danced beautifully for years. He and Irene practiced dance steps at home, drove all over midwestern Ontario to dance, and taught classes, including at their grandchildren’s schools of Arran Tara and Sullivan.
His grandchildren held a special place for him – Jeremy, Ashley, Graham, and Ryan. He did not shower them with hugs, but he was there at their events, whether that was swimming, gymnastics, baseball, hockey, or graduations…talking to everyone but quietly proud. Of course, he offered his lawn planting and maintenance skills (sometimes he just had to cut it himself, so it was done right) whenever they needed that as well.
Neil was lucky. He got to complete his “bucket list” and share it with Irene. This included seeing a Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Expos game live in Montreal, stepping on Four Corners in the United States (where the four states of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico meet), dancing at Billibobs in Texas, and visiting Dodge City, (Kansas). In 2018 his first great-grandchild was born and since then he has been able to enjoy the activity, laughter, and love that comes with now 6 great-grandchildren, Leo, Grace, Olivia, Bree, Boone, and William. To them he was their “cookie monster” and he has passed on his love of chocolate and sugar to every generation. Chocolate bars, fudge, tootsie rolls, jujubes, chocolate almonds, no-bake oatmeal cookies, Bridge mixture, Hallowe’en kisses, and Christmas creams, were just a few of his favourites.
Neil loved these songs and lyrics. From George Strait,
Life is not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away.
From John Michael Montgomery
Life is a Dance, you learn as you go, sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow, don’t worry about what you don’t know, life’s a dance, you learn as you go.
Enjoy the dance and have some chocolate along the way!
Neil passed away at home with Irene, his loving wife of 64 years by his side on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, in his 83rd year.
Beloved husband of Irene (Meade). Loving father of Cheryl (Gary) Morris of R.R. #2 Tara and Leslie (Gordon) Hastie of R.R. #3 Elmwood. Cherished Papa of Jeremy (Jessica) Morris, Ashley (Kiefer) Lindsay, Graham (Adrianna) Hastie, and Ryan Hastie and great-grandfather of Grace, Olivia, and William Morris; Leo and Bree Lindsay, and Boone Hastie. Neil will be dearly missed by his brother Ronald (Ruth) Bartlett of Ingersoll, sister Judy (Bob) Bristo of Hamilton, and the entire Meade family. He was predeceased by his son Scott (1984), brother George (Marj) Bartlett, sister Ruth (Bob) LaHaye, and his parents Alvin and Audrey (Saunders) Bartlett.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. H. Tang of the Chesley Medical Clinic for his incredibly patient, sensitive, and supportive care.
Private family services will be held with inurnment to follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Tara.
In lieu of flowers, the Bartlett family would appreciate donations to The Scott Bartlett Memorial Fund (please make cheques payable to McMaster University) as expressions of sympathy.
Sorry to hear of his passing. Met Neil many years ago. My mother was Gladys Jean Saunders, Audrey’s younger sister, who married Ambrose Hogan. I was Neil’s cousin. Condolences to all of his family.
Dear Irene, Cheryl and Leslie & family;
So sorry to learn of Neil’s passing. You and the entire family are in our thoughts and prayers.
May it give you some comfort to know so many people are thinking of you ❤️
Many memories 🙏
Where ever my band was playing at a local dance, it was always an inspiration and joy to see Neil and Irene out on the dance floor. He will be missed.
Our condolences to the family of Neil. He will be missed for his jokes, his humor, and just being the person he was. Lots of memories were made when Neil was with us. May he enjoy reuniting with his heanenly family members, especially his son, Scott. RIP Neil
Aunt Irene, Cheryl, Leslie, and families, so sad to hear of uncle Neil‘s passing he will be missed by so many we love you all sincerely, Brenda Hamm and Rob Fish
Aunt Irene, Cheryl, Les & Families, the right words are hard to formulate at times of loss, but please know that our thoughts are with you all. This is a most difficult time for sure. Your many memories can be a real source of comfort and will eventually help ease the wounds left on your hearts by Uncle Neil’s passing.
Irene and Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Thinking back many years when we were young and would drive to the horse races hoping to win big but never did . We made memories and they never die. In our memory always.
Irene, Cheryl and Leslie and families.
I’m so sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy and may your fond memories bring you strength during this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers go to Irene, Cheryl and Leslie and families in the loss of there husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Our family has so many great memories of good times together. When 2 sisters marry 2 brothers it makes it even closer. We shared lots of Christmases together and lots of fun times. My kids will always remember riding with Neil in the Volkswagen and losing there stomachs going over hills. Things change in everyone’s lives but the memories never go away. He will be missed by everyone who’s lives he touched. Thanks for all the great times. Forever in our hearts. He is at peace. Sandra and family
Dear Irene and Family.
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of a wonderful husband and father and grandfather.
Gail Wolfe
May my condolences bring you comfort and ease the pain of Neil’s passing. I wish I had the right words to comfort you. Never forget you are surrounded by love.
Our sympathies to Irene, Cheryl, Leslie and families. Many great memories of our times curling. Our thoughts are with you.
So sorry to hear about Uncle Neil. I have alot of great memories with him , especially when we were kids . He was a great man and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Steve & Marcia Bartlett
Our sincere sympathy to you on the passing of Neil, cherish all the wonderful memories you will have gathered over your years together.
Our deepest sympathies.Irene and family a lot good memories with your Family and Mom and Dad there was some good times.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We are so sad to hear about Neil’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Neil always brightened everyone’s day. We will always remember his laugh and his great sense of humour. He will be deeply missed.
Dear Irene, Cheryl, Leslie & family
May God give you strength and peace that passes understanding during this difficult time.
Neil was a very special brother and I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven, someday.
Until then, I will cherish many fond memories of times we spent together. ♥️
To Irene and family, we are so sorry for your loss. It was always such an enjoyment to watch you and Neil dance. Hold close to your memories.
Our sincere condolences to Irene and family on the passing of Neil. Cherish your happy memories; no doubt they will be numerous. Neil was a wonderful man.
Irene Cheryl and Leslie and family —Sending our deepest sympathy to you all. Neil was a great guy who will be missed by all of us. Great memories of nights spend dancing with Neil and Irene at any dance we could find,Marlen
Irene, Cheryl and Leslie, my sincere sympathy in the loss of a loving husband and Dad….what wonderful memories you will have to cherish! He was a very special person and will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Our sincere sympathy on the passing of Neil, our thoughts are with you Irene and your family at this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Neil’s passing….thinking of you and your family with love and prayer…..Judy
Dear Irene and family.
Our sincere sympathy to you in the passing of Neil. May the memories of the times together help at this time. Eldon and Judy MacKinnon
Neil was one of those people who always put a smile on your face whenever you saw him. Either because he had a smile on his, or his first words were some kind of dig at what you were doing.
His memory always impressed me, he would ask you about something you hadn’t talked to him about since you saw him last like it was a continuation of the conversation. He was always interested in what life was bringing your way and not so wrapped up in telling you what was happening in his.
It was always obvious that he enjoyed his life’s work, his hobbies and especially his family.
Irene, Cheryl and Leslie, and all of those you hold dear, we extend our deepest heartfelt condolences. The world is poorer with Neil’s passing.
Irene, Cheryl and Leslie. We were so sorry to hear that Neil passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. With our sincere sympathy.
Gary and Cheryl
Our sincere condolences to your family.
Deepest condolences Irene to you and your entire family. Neil was a great guy. Take solace knowing that, as a couple, you were able to complete his bucket list and that you having a loving family to draw support from as you all mourn your loss.
Irene and family: Our sincere condolences on the passing of Neil. He will be missed by many