Obituary of Edward Neigh

Passed away at Toronto Western Hospital on Saturday August 8, 2015 at the age of 70 years. Survived by his partner Darlene Carreiro of Waterloo. Lovingly remembered by his children Scott Neigh (Stacey Ritz) of Sudbury, Janet Neigh (Dan Schank) of Erie Pennsylvania, Kathryn Neigh of Waterloo, and David Neigh (Laura Ashfield) of Waterloo, and by their mother Margaret Neigh. Ed will also be fondly remembered by Alycia & Ryan Domjancic. Loving Grandfather of Eve, Liam & Yggdrasil. Sadly missed by his dear brother Geoffrey Neigh (Marion) of Stratford. Predeceased by his parents Edward and Charlotte Neigh and his Aunt Georgina. Born in Galt, Ed spent his formative years in Stratford. After graduating from Wilfred Laurier University in History, he taught History and English at Northwestern Seconday School in Stratford, and later served as a teacher-librarian there and at Listowel Secondary School. Ed will be most broadly remembered for his contributions to bagpiping in Ontario and beyond. His lifelong passion for bagpiping began as a student under the instruction of Jack Skinner in Stratford and then Gord Tuck of St. Thomas. He later studied extensively with John MacFadyen and Donald MacLeod in Scotland, and became a world-class player and a renowned theorist and practitioner of piobaireachd. He was among the first non-Scottish players to become successful in the Scottish competition circuit, and he won many prizes including the Dunvegan Gold Medal. He became Pipe Major of the Guelph Pipe Band, which under his leadership took first place twice, and second place five times, in the Grade 1 North American Championship. Ed taught countless pupils, both at home and at the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming in North Carolina, as well as adjudicating widely in North America and Scotland. In recent years, he was the instructor for the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band. Ed's piping legacy will continue through the many people he mentored and influenced. Friends are invited to share their memories of Ed with his family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held Saturday August 15, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church 50 Erb Street W Waterloo. Cremation to follow. A reception will be held in the church hall after the service Condolences for the family and donations to the Ed Neigh Scholarship Fund at the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.