Remembering Neville

Entrepreneur. Mentor. Community builder. Champion for Atlantic Canada.

Friends and family of the late Neville J. Gilfoy came together recently at Dartmouth General Hospital to share memories and celebrate a life defined by generosity, vision, and an unwavering belief in the power of connection. As the founder of Progress Media Group, Neville shared the stories of Atlantic Canada’s business and community leaders through publications including Progress magazine. He worked tirelessly to make life better for the people who call this place home. July 19^th marks the 10^th anniversary of his passing.

“It is fitting that we come together here in the atrium of the Neville J. Gilfoy Wing at Dartmouth General Hospital, beneath Tom Forrestall’s beautiful portrait of Neville,” said Stephen Harding, President and CEO of the DGH Foundation. “Over the years, this atrium has become a true gathering place within Dartmouth General. In many ways, it reflects the qualities of the man whose name it carries – open, welcoming, and focused on bringing people together.”

The Neville J. Gilfoy Wing officially opened in December of 2019, representing a lasting commitment to the health and well-being of the community Neville loved. The three-storey addition houses the Fred Smithers Centre for Orthopedic Care, the Deanne Reeve Pelvic Health Suite, and outpatient clinic and an endoscopy unit. It was named in Neville’s honour following a $2 million donation from the O’Regan family and O’Regan’s Automotive Group.

“We love the O’Regans,” said Neville’s son Jamie Gilfoy. “It’s the Neville Gilfoy Wing but that wouldn’t have happened without the O’Regan family. And for our family, that is a huge thing.”

For many in attendance, this celebration was an opportunity to not only reflect on Neville’s accomplishments, but on the kindness, positivity and encouragement he shared.

“Neville was a mentor, a promoter, the best salesman I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of good salesmen,” reflected Patrick O’Regan, President O’Regan’s

Automotive Group. “He was a tireless champion of Atlantic Canada. He had fantastic energy, an infectious optimism and was a heck of a lot of fun to be around. He was a great mentor and friend to me.”

“Neville was one of the most ambitious people I’ve ever met in my life,” said Nova Scotia business leader Don Mills. “I really appreciate the fact that no dream was too big. He lived life to the fullest.”

That ambition reached far beyond business. Through Rotary International, he helped build schools, wells and health clinics in West African nations. He also served as Chair of the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Halifax Partnership. A proud Dartmouth High School graduate, he never lost his connection to his hometown. His leadership of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation’s Reaching New Heights Capital Campaign helped make possible the hospital’s new Emergency Department, which opened in 2000.

Dr. Todd Howlett, former Chief Medical Director at DGH and former head of the Emergency Department, spoke on Neville’s lasting influence.

“Neville was passionate about the Dartmouth General, he was passionate about Atlantic Canada,” said Dr. Howlett. “He inspired us, and he inspired me, to keep reaching for what could be. He would be so proud of what’s happened at the hospital.”

Jamie Gilfoy reflected on his father’s illness and the time they spent together in the hospital that Neville had worked so hard to support through the years.

“The fact that this hospital exists here is so important and something that I didn’t think about until it affected me,” Jamie said. “In that moment of pain, and being scared and the uncertainty, he and I were both looking out the window onto the baseball diamond. I had played baseball there years prior. It was a nice, good memory that we both had in this really horrible time.”

Neville J. Gilfoy’s passionate commitment to Dartmouth General Hospital has continued through his family. His wife, Ann Janega, has been an incredible advocate for DGH, most recently serving as Chair of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Board.

“Ann, the time and energy that you’ve put in to continue to grow the hospital in this last number of years, and your time as Chair, is an inspiration to all of us,” said Patrick O’Regan.

During the celebration of Neville’s life, his family announced a fundraising goal to purchase a portable cardiac monitor for the Emergency Department, continuing Neville’s support of the hospital and the department he helped to build more than 25 years ago.

“Losing my Dad changed my perspective on life,” said Jamie. “Just remember if you have something pulling at your energy, there’s only so many turns of the clock. So do good, help out, and keep smiling.”

Ten years after his passing, Neville J. Gilfoy’s legacy lives on in the wing that bears his name at Dartmouth General Hospital, but also in the lives he touched, the community he helped shape and the enduring belief that one person can make a lasting difference.

If you would like to contribute to the efforts to purchase a portable cardiac monitor or find other ways to support the work of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation, please visit www.dghfoundation.ca or call (902) 460-4149.