Obituary of Chauncey MacKay

Chauncey Woodrow MacKay, beloved husband of Claire MacKay, of Calgary, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 28, 2006 in his 87th year. His family rejoices at a life well lived; a life dedicated to his family and to his Lord. Chauncey, born in Harvey Station, NB, October 24, 1919, always referred to his life as “a constant pageant”. A United Church Minister for over forty years, he was a graduate of Mount Allison University and received his Master of Divinity from the University of Toronto. For more than four decades he had the opportunity to spread the gospel across Canada. His first mission fields were in Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick and Peace River, AB. In 1943 he arrived in East Coulee, to begin his career as an ordained minister. During this time he met Claire and they started a great adventure together. Chauncey’s career took him to such diverse places as Springbank, Cochrane, Riley, Holden, Vermilion and Namao, all in Alberta. In Ontario, he had churches in Toronto, West Hill, St. Thomas, Ilderton and Burr. Retirement took him to Victoria for fourteen years and then he and Claire returned to Calgary to be close to their beloved ranch near Champion. As well, Chauncey used his retirement to publish two autobiographies that outlined his life as a clergyman throughout Canada. Next to his family and his church, curling was his passion and now he and his companions in the Friar’s Briar are planning the next bonspiel. Chauncey’s legacy will be the love of family that he instilled in his sons, a sense of dedication, faith and hope he left with his congregations and the all encompassing power of love that he and Claire demonstrated every day. Chauncey is survived by the love of his life, Claire MacKay, who resides in Calgary; his sons, David and his children, Christopher, Jeremy and Jennifer; Jim and his children, Christine, Emily, Maxwell and Morgan; Don and wife Carol and their daughters, Paige, Brett and Blair; Stephen and wife Meagan and their sons, Beckett-Chauncey and Colton. He is also survived by two sisters, Ruby and Irene, who are both living in the United States. Special thanks to the staff at Cedar Villa Extendicare who helped Chauncey through the last months of his life and to the staff and residents of Valley Ridge Lodge where he and Claire have lived in joy for six years. A Memorial Celebration will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Springbank United Church,(250011 Range Road 33), Calgary, AB, which was the first church Chauncey and Claire shared as a married couple. Chauncey has come full circle. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, #201, 222 – 58 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3 Telephone: (403) 290-0110 or to the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada, Suite 300, 3250 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M8X2Y4. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Chauncey MacKay, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.