Obituary of James Edward MacKenzie

Jim MacKenzie, beloved husband of for fifty-eight years of Patricia, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the age of 80 years Jim was born on March 23, 1927, on a farm near Wroxton, SK and he grew up in Yorkton, SK. During his seven years in the Royal Canadian Navy, he served at The Albro Lake Radio Naval Station in Dartmouth, NS and on the destroyer, HMCS Athabaskan during the Korean War. He returned to Saskatchewan to attend University in 1952. A turn of events gave him his term at the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON where he was granted his commission in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Flying Officer. Following his graduation from the U of S with his Bachelor of Commerce degree, Jim moved to Calgary and was employed by Shell Oil for eighteen years in the Finance and Crude Oil Supply. The next fourteen was spent with the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission where he retired as a Board Member. Jim was an avid athlete, playing ball, hockey and was a member of a track and field team that competed in the Highland Games in Nova Scotia. In Calgary he played ball, curled, and golfed with the Oil Industry competitive leagues. He served for many years as a President, Treasurer, Operations Manager, Vice Chairman and Chairman for figure skating events such as City, Provincials, Nationals, Skate Canada, Worlds and Olympics. He has also coached and managed in the Minor Hockey League, as well as for Community ball teams. Jim is survived by his loving wife Pat (McNeil) from Halifax, son and daughter-in-law David and Lolly, and by his granddaughter Madison of Scottsdale, AZ. He will also be remembered by his brother and sister-in-law Lawrence and Anne of Prince Albert, SK, sisters Barbara and Audrey of Calgary, AB, Louise of Parksville, BC and by Glenna of Kaslo, BC. Jim was predeceased by his daughter Wendy Anne, parents George and Isobel MacKenzie, brothers, George (Donalda), Neil and Douglas in infancy. A Memorial Service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Hospice Calgary, Suite 900-833 4 Avenue SW., Calgary, AB T2P 3T5, Telephone: (403) 263-4525, www.hospicecalgary.com. or directly to the charity of the donor’s choice. We would like to thank Unit 61 at the Foothills Medical Centre and the Agapé Hospice for helping Jim get through his period. He fought bravely over these many years with COPD. In living memory of James MacKenzie, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.