Roy Neil Mcdonald

At his residence in London on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, Roy Neil McDonald in his 81st year. London's 'Mayor of Richmond Row", writer, poet, philosopher, and friend to all who knew him. The following is Roy's biography in his own words taken from his last book.
"Born on June 4, 1937, in the evening at Victoria Hospital, in London, Ontario, Canada. Attended Mountsfield Public School for 8 years. Graduated. Attended South Collegiate Institute for 6 years. Didn't graduate. At 17, started taking evening courses at The University of Western Ontario in psychology and later in philosophy. Registered as a non-credit student. Worked at the A & P on Wellington Road, London. At 19, began to write a weekly column called "Thoughts of a Teenager" for The London Free Press. Later the column was called "Impressions." Wrote a weekly series of articles called "Youth in the Pulpit" for the Toronto Sunday Telegram. Also wrote for daily and weekly newspapers across Canada and magazines such as "The Canadian Boy" and "The Calgary Sower." At 25, became initiated into Transcendental Meditation. Lectured on various topics at public schools, high schools, universities, community colleges, church and community programs such as The Unitarian Fellowship and The World Federalists. Was actively involved with the Canadian University Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Friends of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee, Student Christian Movement, and coalitions against the war in Vietnam. Was involved in Vietnam war protest demonstrations in London, Toronto, Montreal, New York and Washington. Helped organize and develop discussion programs, plays, poetry readings and other events at coffee houses in Crystal Beach, London, Wasaga Beach and Bala. Was a paid resource person at Rochdale College, a free school in Toronto. At age 38, stopped drinking alcohol. Free-lance dialogist on college campuses and in coffee houses in London, Toronto, Montreal and other cities. Interest in new developments in humanistic psychology, philosophy, holistic medicine and the development of the total person. Authored two publications, The Answer Questioned (1970) and Living: A London Journal (1978)."
There will be two services for Roy. The first service will be in the O'Neil Funeral Home, 350 William Street, London on Friday, March 9, 2018. Visitors will be received from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service in the Chapel at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, London. The second Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at the Labatt Lounge, Second Floor, Covent Market, 130 King Street (at Talbot) from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. A full length obituary, online condolences & Guest Book can be found at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca Friends are also invited to share their remembrances of Roy online on the "Remembering Roy McDonald" FaceBook page at:
www.facebook.com/groups/962333807250621