The Canadian singer died on Sunday (November 22) at Toronto’s Mount Sinai hospital at the age of 39. Neale had been battling lung cancer for the last seven months of his life.
The musician was also still recovering from serious injuries from an accident on August 3, 2007. Neale was struck by a car in Toronto while he was driving his Vespa scooter.
Friends and colleagues of the singer were shocked by the news of his death, as most of them believed that he had overcome the toughest period of his illness and that the cancer was in remission.
MC Kardinal Offishall, a Toronto hip-hop singer, said that Neale had an exceptional person with a big heart. “Wow. Canada really lost something special,” he said.
Members of the singer’s family were at his bedside when he passed. His wife, Michaela, explained, “Through all these challenges, Haydain’s sense of humour and love of music were ever-present. He constantly brightened the room with his singing and his smile. His joyful presence and beautiful voice will be missed by us all.”
The group Jacksoul was preparing to release SOULmate on December 1, featuring 10 new songs.