Neil Everson Dead at 63

Neil Everson, who headed Hamilton’s Economic Development department through the city’s transformation from “steel town”,  has died after battling early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Neil worked at the City of Hamilton for 28 years and retired as Director of Economic Development in 2016.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger cited Neil’s many achievements including “attracting large new businesses to Hamilton such as Canada Bread, the Maple Leaf Foods Meat Processing Facility and the Tim Hortons coffee roasting facility, to name but a few.”

“Indeed, if you look at many of the positive things that are happening right now in Hamilton, from the construction at the airport employment lands, to our business parks, and at the waterfront, the origin of so many of those things can be traced directly to Neil’s leadership in economic development.”

In the family’s published obituary Neil’s wife Peggy and sons Mark and Bill ask that in honour of his memory, remove any shame in speaking openly about your mental health struggles, and do not be afraid to ask for help.