John McNeilly was a founding member of the Edmonton Motorcycle Ride for Dad (“MRFD”) and served as the Co-chair for the first 4 years, and continued as a Director until his death.  He was awarded the Kiwanis Top Cop award in 2009 for his work with and for MRFD.

John served 2 years as the Western Canadian Manager overseeing all rides in Western Canada and was instrumental in starting rides in Didsbury, Vancouver Island, Yellowknife, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.

John’s quiet style of leadership was respected by all and his sometimes dark, but well-timed humor was sure to set the tone and mood of a meeting.  He never spoke before thinking about his response, and his guidance was sound.  He was involved in not just MRFD, but HOG, Blue Knights, Masons, to name just a few as well as serving 35 years with the Edmonton Police Service.

John started with the Edmonton Police Service in 1977, was promoted to the Drug Unit in 1988, and spent the remainder of his career in plainclothes with the exception of an 18 month period when he was in the Sergeant’s position.  In 1992, John left the Drug Unit to work in a variety of other investigation units. John received a “Police Exemplary Service” medal in February 1998, and a “First Bar” in 2008.  John retired from the Edmonton Police Service on January 25, 2013.

John passed away on March 24, 2020, after a hard battle with lung cancer that spread throughout his body; he was 64 years old.  John will be dearly missed by his family, many friends, coworkers, and associates.

Hard to believe the last big group ride for Ride for Dad was 2 Years ago. That was a year after my Prostate Cancer Surgery. My Prostate Cancer was detected through my PSA blood work which my Dr had me do during my yearly check up, since I had turned 50, 6 months earlier. Without having the PSA done, my Prostate Cancer would not have been found at an early stage and the prospects of Survival go down the later it is detected.

I was in the VIP section right behind the Executives for Ride for Dad on the Parade from the Aviation Museum to the Post Office building on Heron Rd. The Ride for Dad is a cause that truly hits very close to home for me, and I do what I can to help out and collect donations on my behalf for the Work that the Ride for Dad does. All monies collected from each area stay local, and goes towards Prostate Cancer Research and Awareness. YOU , YES YOU, you can help me out by donating on my behalf at the following link.

https://ridefordad.akaraisin.com/…/pledge/sponsor/donation

Every dollar helps. so help me reach my goal this year, you never know, you could be helping your Brother, your Father, your Uncle, Even your self.

So I encourage all men to talk to their doctor and get your PSA tested. It could mean saving your life

Ken combined his love of motorcycle riding with his passion for organizing charitable causes by volunteering as a Site-Coordinator for the annual Edmonton Chapter of the Motorcycle Ride For Dad (RFD) bike rally in 2010. This charitable organization was set up to raise awareness of prostate cancer in men and fund research for better early detection methods of this cancer.

In an ironic twist of fate, undiagnosed prostate cancer is the disease that took Ken’s life at age 59 early in 2012. Ken is survived by his wife Ilene two sons, Christopher and Ryan, and two daughters Heather and Katherine. Christopher is carrying on in his capacity as a graphic artist to support the 2012 Edmonton Motorcycle Ride For Dad.

Ken’s attention to detail and ability to organize will be missed by the organizing committee of the Edmonton Motorcycle Ride For Dad. To die completely, a person must not only have passed on, but be forgotten, and Ken will never be forgotten by those of us on the organizing committee whose lives he touched.

I mourn the loss of a close friend that I have known for many years. Ken was one of those people that came into my life that I immediately knew was meant to be there. I must soldier on without Ken to do as he would say “do this, that and the other thing”.

I ride for my grandfather who passed away with prostate cancer, for my uncle who is in remission from prostate cancer and for my father-in-law who is missed dearly.

It’s about building relationships within the community and supporting a worthwhile life saving cause.

I’ve ridden most of the Ottawa rides, then took a break and then got into the Okanagan ride and now this year in the Calgary ride. My reason is to put purpose in my miles of smiles and, in this case, to support the fight against prostate cancer. I had one long-time friend who didn’t make it because he was diagnosed at stage 4 at the age of 71, but another long-time friend was diagnosed at stage 1 and he’s still hale and hardy at 74.

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2020 when I was 49 years old.

In March 2024, I underwent a Radical Prostatectomy and Lymphectomy – which I am still recovering from.

Thankfully, prior to my diagnosis, I was undergoing regular screening due to my family health history. This screening saved my life – because I was younger than average for a Prostate Cancer diagnosis.

I am riding for my sons, brothers and nephews, in hopes that they never have to undergo the same thing I did.

I was reminded of this ride through Freedom’s post on Facebook. I’ve always wanted to do it but timing was often an issue. Well,I lost my dad in March and today, May 31st, would have been his birthday. So I’m riding for him this year. I miss him.