Exchange with Neil McKenty

Absent friends

bluemoosebicycle — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:16:16 +0000

Here is a song from Patrick Hutchison, who has played at various McKenty-related events at Unitas, Neil’s 80th birthday party, to his wake last weekend.

A Farewell to Uncle Neil – John McKenty

bluemoosebicycle — Wed, 30 May 2012 08:56:54 +0000

A Farewell to Uncle Neil – John McKenty

I am very honoured and humbled today to speak a few words on behalf of my brothers Mike and Bob and myself who were Neil’s nephews.

For three young boys growing up in Kingston, Ontario, our Uncle Neil could be an imposing and at times intimidating figure – the deep voice, the wide-ranging intellect, the stellar reputation as a teacher and as a writer.

We first knew our uncle as a priest and when he came to visit us in Kingston, he’d stay at Regiopolis College the Jesuit high school. Should a Sunday occur during his stay, he’d say Mass in the small chapel at the school. When that happened, our mom and dad would gather up us three boys and off we’d go to the chapel. Because we were altar boys, uncle Neil expected us to serve Mass. The problem was that the McKenty boys weren’t all that good as altar servers. But despite the fact that we’d often flub the odd line of Latin, Uncle Neil would tell us we were the best altar boys he ever had.

Last evening my brother Mike reminded me that in the McKenty household Uncle Neil took precedence over even Santa Claus because should one of his visits occur during Christmas, there would be no presents opened until we had been to the chapel and back.

As the years went by, Neil continued to live a life that was the stuff of legend in the McKenty household – his work with Special Olympics, his marriage to the most wonderful Catharine & his growing reputation as a radio and T.V. broadcaster.

I can recall one time, my wife, Zeta, and I went to visit Catharine and Neil. That evening they took us down to enjoy the night life in old Montreal. It was wonderful with musicians, magicians etc. and when it was all over Neil hailed a cab. “66 Somerville Ave.,” said Neil from the back seat, and without missing a beat or turning his head, the cabbie said, “Hey I know you. You’re McKenty Live!” Now it’s one thing to be reporter in a small town like Hastings and have people know your name, but I knew it was quite another to be in a city of six million and have them know it.

Like his brother Stafford before him & indeed the McKenty boys who follow him, Neil had his demons to battle. Like Father Paul I believe it was those very struggles that allowed Neil to understand and empathize so fully with the struggles of those around him.

Today on behalf of my brothers and myself, I’d like to say how proud we are of the life our uncle lived and how grateful we are for the legacy that he left us.

Now his earthly journey has come to an end and I’d like to close with the words of another well known gentleman from Westmount, Quebec, Mr. Leonard Cohen.

Going home without my sorrow

Going home sometime tomorrow

Going home to where it’s better than before

Going home without my burden

Going home behind the curtain

Going home without this costume that I wore

Leonard Cohen, “Going Home” from Old Ideas, 2012

A man who loved to throw the cat among the pigeons

bluemoosebicycle — Tue, 29 May 2012 07:27:32 +0000

Good afternoon! I’m Bob Fleming, Catharine McKenty’s first cousin.

The best thing that ever happened to the Fleming family took place 40 years ago when Neil married Catharine.

Neil, a man who loved to throw the cat among the pigeons, conquered the hearts of a very Protestant Fleming family from Toronto.

“Keep the family together” had been the final words of our Aunt Evelyn.

For the past 20 years Neil became that keeper.

Neil, a dedicated golfer, instituted the Fleming Classic Gold Golf week-end each Fall bringing together a group of cousins who have known each other “since we were 9 or 10.”

Apart from golf and good food, Neil prodded us to debate great issues.

On one occasion a rather heated discussion focused on the life of Jesus. Our host and chef, later confessed that he lad listened in from the kitchen. Fascinated, he went off and bought the book Neil had been reviewing.

Blown by the winds of change, Neil and Catharine together became a transforming force wherever they went.

Neil was a joy.

Photo: Neil and Catharine on Somerville Avenue in Westmount

bluemoosebicycle — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:24:48 +0000

Neil and Catharine in front of their little “farmhouse” in the middle of Westmount.

Neil’s reflections

bluemoosebicycle — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:44:46 +0000

These are four brief clips from interviews with Neil, done on Safe Space Radio, over the past four years, that were played at his funeral.

Stay tuned as we are working on digitizing more great stuff from Neil’s archives.

Neil’s broadcasting legacy has sown seeds now flourishing in the public discourse

bluemoosebicycle — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:28:15 +0000

Following Neil’s beautiful funeral on Saturday, May 19, I have been reflecting on the way Neil’s broadcasting legacy has sown seeds now flourishing in the public discourse. First and foremost is that the voice of the people can make a difference. We have seen this in the spontaneous cloud bursts of Occupy movements across the western world pointing us to the recognition that equality is better for everyone. ‘Exchange’ on CJAD and ‘McKenty Live’ on CFCF were fore-runners here. I believe that this is what the student protest in Montreal is basically about. As I read in a comment printed in The Globe and Mail this morning: ”This is as much about “low tuition” as the American Revolution was about cheap tea.”

Having listened to Paul Kennedy’s ‘Ideas in the Afternoon’ on CBC radio yesterday, I hasten to order the book: The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard G. Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. The description of the book is why I am curious to study it: ”It is a well-established fact that in rich societies the poor have shorter lives and suffer more from almost every social problem … poor health, violence, lack of community life, teen pregnancy, mental illness — is more likely to occur in a less-equal society…

The Spirit Level, based on thirty years of research, takes this truth a step further. One common factor links the healthiest and happiest societies: the degree of equality among their members. Further, more unequal societies are bad for everyone within them-the rich and middle class as well as the poor.

The authors do not merely tell us what’s wrong. They offer a way toward a new political outlook, shifting from self-interested consumerism to a friendlier, more sustainable society.” Neil lived, broadcast and wrote about this deeply held conviction.

Clare Hallward

Interviews with Neil

bluemoosebicycle — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:20:57 +0000

My name is Anne Hallward and I am a friend of Neil’s. He helped me get my start in radio four years ago, during which time I had the chance to interview Neil three times about depression and addiction, about celibacy, and about aging. At Neil’s funeral I put together four brief clips from these interviews to play, so that we could hear Neil’s voice with us in the room.

If you want to hear the full interviews, you can go to the website

www.safespaceradio.com

and type in Neil McKenty in the search window, the interviews on depression and celibacy will come up. The interview on aging is not posted yet, but will be soon. The show provides a live forum for the courageous discussion of difficult subjects. As you can imagine, Neil was such an ideal guest, with his deep commitment to being as real as he could be. happy listening, Anne

Neil McKenty 1924 – 2012

bluemoosebicycle — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:09:32 +0000

On May 12, after a short illness, Neil left on his final journey, surrounded by close friends and family, and comforted by the wonderful caregivers of the Montreal General Hospital. Dearly beloved husband of Catharine; caring uncle to the McKenty and Fleming families; honorary uncle to the John and Clare Hallward family; and Stéphanie Pagano. Neil will be sorely missed for his insight, intellect and enthusiasm for alternative opinion and sparring partners. Respected author of five books, host of Exchange, CJAD’s daily talk show, and McKenty Live on CFCF, Neil zeroed in on the people and issues that mattered to him. He will always be remembered for his outstanding ability to connect with people, to listen, and to go straight to the heart of the matter.

The wake, including Irish music, will be held at the Côte-des-Neiges Funeral Home, 4525 Chemin Cote-des-Neiges, 514 342-8000 on Friday, May 18, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The service will be on Saturday, May 19, at 3:30 p.m. with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Desta, Benedict Labre House, or Nazareth House. Your comments are welcome here and also at www.dignitequebec.com.

PERSONAL NOTE

Neil McKenty — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:09:08 +0000

Sick again. Awaiting results of tests from my doctor. Expect to be be back with you soon. Neil

SHOULD CANADA EXTEND ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE AFGHAN WAR?

Neil McKenty — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:35:12 +0000

Stephen Harper is leaving the door open to extending Canada’s military participation in the costly Afghan war. He told the Commons this week that all options are still on the table including extending our stay beyond 2014. We now have 950 military personnell in Afghanistan mostly engaged in helping train Afghan security.

Canadian taxpayers’ bill for the conflict is expected to exceed $14 billion dollars. So far Canada has suffered 158 fatalities and 635 wounded.

Even if we stay is Afghanistan likely to emerge from this conflict a peaceful country?

Should Canada extend its military participation in the Afghan war?

What do you think?