Neil Arnold Longson
It is with profound sadness and appreciation for his amazing life that we announce the sudden passing of Neil Arnold Longson at the age of 90 years in Edmonton. Neil went to meet his maker in the company of local family members and with virtual access to those who could not be with him in person.
Neil is survived and lovingly remembered by his daughter, Ginger (Guy Blanchette), son, Neil I. Longson (Charlotte), and his grandchildren Chantel Blanchette (André Ajaltouny), Luc Blanchette, and Juliana Longson along with his special friend, Fran Linklater.
Neil was predeceased by his daughter, Bonnie and by his wife of 62 years, Lucille (neé Shuttleworth), also known as Toots. He was also predeceased by his parents, Arnold Wilfred and Mary Longson; his Longson brothers and their spouses/partners: Wilf and Gladys, Jim and Kay, John and Mary, Hank and Dorothy; and by his sister, Marie Scott and her husband, Gavin.
Neil was a warm, intelligent man who believed strongly in the importance of family connection and the ties that bind. He was the Longson family historian through pictures and genealogy and shared everything he learned. Neil made a point of visiting Longson and Scott family members of all ages, whenever possible, and maintained personal connection with the cousins of his wife, Toots, even after her passing. Neil enjoyed many family gatherings with his special friend, Fran Linklater, and appreciated getting to know each member of her family. Neil was very proud of his three grandchildren, Chantel, Luc, and Juliana.
Neil was central to many organizations and groups to which he belonged in the Edmonton area. He was a founding member and avid supporter of Grace United Church, and he served on the boards of St. Stephen’s College and Edmonton United Church Presbytery. Over his lifetime, he held leadership positions with the BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association), APEGA (the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta), the Edmonton Real Estate Board, and the Edmonton Music and Speech Arts Festival. Neil was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Edmonton for 56 years and held many leadership positions within the club and at the Kiwanis District level.
Neil was born in Calgary and was raised on a farm near Kathryn, Alberta with his brothers and sister. He graduated from the University of Alberta in Civil Engineering in 1953 and was immediately hired by Northwestern Utilities. He was soon asked to manage the Milner Building, where Northwestern Utilities was housed. As a young manager, he was spotted by Gerald Knowlton and was soon working as a commercial and industrial realtor for Knowlton Realty Ltd. In 1966, along with two partners, he founded his own commercial and industrial real estate company, Longson, Tammets and Denton Real Estate Ltd. He was President of the company until the early 1980s, when he took a position as Director of Communications for APEGA. In the final two years before his retirement in 1996, Neil returned to the real estate company he had founded (now NAI Commercial, Edmonton), to finish out his career.
In the years since his retirement, Neil travelled extensively with his wife, Toots, and after her passing, with his special friend, Fran in the last few years. He travelled to visit his son, Neil Ian’s homes in various locations throughout the world; he travelled to Kiwanis Conventions with his daughter, Ginger, in Canada and the U.S. and he travelled to visit his extended family members. He has now travelled beyond us to new horizons, and he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation to Grace United Church or to a charity of your choice.
Neil’s Memorial Service will be held at Grace United Church (6215 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB) Friday, October 21, 2022 at 2:00 PM.
Neil will be missed by EKOSIngers (Kiwanis Singers). He rarely missed a performance. We appreciated his support and encouraging words, and looked forward to his greeting in the lobby after our shows. ….. a bright light.
Thank you Paula,
Dad was very impressed with all of your performances and happy that Kiwanis could be an early supporter of the EKOSingers – he took Mom with him to several performances, along with friends. I was fortunate to attend with him 3 times that I can recall.
I remember meeting Neil for the first time I attended the Kiwanis meeting (Fall 2015 I believe); and he was so welcoming and friendly. That first time we went out for dinner (after the meeting) and I ended up sitting next to him. He was just so kind talking about his family and his love of Kiwanis. He was also so happy to see more younger people join the club he enjoyed and tell stories. I admire his dedication to service (helping others) and his kind heart. Throughout the years I enjoyed getting to know him and volunteering with him. I will miss him and it is a great loss to many of his sudden passing. I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to his family and love ones. My deepest Sympathy.
I remember meeting Neil for the first time I attended the Kiwanis meeting (Fall 2015 I believe); and he was so welcoming and friendly. That first time we went out for dinner (after the meeting) and I ended up sitting next to him. He was just so kind talking about his family and his love of Kiwanis. He was also so happy to see more younger people join the club he enjoyed and tell stories. I admire his dedication to service (helping others) and his kind heart. Throughout the years I enjoyed getting to know him and volunteering with him. I will miss him and it is a great loss to many of his sudden passing. I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to his family and love ones. My deepest Sympathy.
Thanks, Leah. Kiwanis, as a means of serving kids and families in a personal way with a group that has fun, with opportunities to travel and meet like minded people, was a passion of Dad’s!
My deepest condolences on the loss of a truly outstanding person. Neil was the best boss I’ve ever had, and a very cherished person who was kind, considerate and diplomatic. He had a way of making every person feel special, and he wasn’t shy about showing his gratitude and interest in their lives. He will truly be missed.
My condolences to all in Neil’s family. I often remember him joining the Blanchette’s for Easter dinners and other special occasions. He was such a kind and nice man and always gave me a hug when I saw him. Thinking of everyone during this difficult time. I hope all of the memories have you smiling. He truly did a lot in his life!
Remembering Neil with fond memories as a friend and business partner. I first met Neil nearly 60 years ago in his office in the Milnar Building in Edmonton. He was an especially considerate and kind man. He was keenly devoted to civic life to the Kiwanis Club and it’s many activities in bettering the lives of people in Edmonton. His family is very much in my thoughts at this time.
Neil was a first cousin to my Dad Dalton. They lived at opposite ends of the Province as kids, so didn’t see a lot of one another. I got to connect with him through Ginger and am thankful for that. He will be remembered by me as a classy, compassionate, interesting, nice man with whom I wish I had spent more time. He had a lot to offer. One of my favourite memories of him was when he picked my wife and I up at our hotel in Phoenix, took us on a nice hike in the hills, then we went back to his Park model where Toots made a wonderful meal. We heard interesting stories of both their families when they were younger. It was a great way to end our first trip to Arizona. Condolences to the family.