Obituary of David Alan Mackenzie
Mackenzie, David Alan of Brockville, Ontario peacefully left us on Thursday, October 4, 2018 (aged 81), with his family by his side at the Brockville General Hospital. David was born May 31, 1937 in Montreal, the eldest child of Alan Lehigh Mackenzie and Dorothy Freda Winch. Beloved husband of Marilyn (Turriff), to whom he was married for 59 happy years. Loving father of Laurel, Janet (Tom), Kenneth (Nathalie) and Karen (Craig). Cherished grandfather of James, Samuel, Katherine, Marie-Christine (François), Andrew, Alicia-Jade; and great grandfather of Ève. David is survived by his brother Warren (Pat), and will be much missed by his many nieces, nephews, step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren and cousins. He was predeceased by his infant daughter Heather.
Born and raised in St. Lambert, Quebec, David started his career in education as a teacher in Greenfield Park, then as Vice-Principal in Temiscaming, Principal in Shawville, and finally as Director General of the Western Quebec School Board. He enjoyed a distinguished career in hospital administration at the Shawville District Hospital and later at the Sherbrooke Hospital, before retiring to his ancestral home of Brockville where he and Marilyn served as active community volunteers. An avid United Empire Loyalist, he served as President of both the Ontario Genealogical Society and Ontario Horticultural Society. Gardening was indeed a true calling for him. He was perhaps happiest sipping a glass of wine on the patio of the Royal Brock, with his wife by his side, surrounded by the flower gardens they had lovingly planted.
Family will receive friends at the Barclay Funeral Home, 137 Pearl Street East, Brockville on Tuesday October 9, 2018 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. The Celebration of David’s Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 10 Church Street, Brockville on Wednesday October 10 at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery. As former Treasurer of the Presbyterian Church, donations in his memory would be gratefully appreciated; or to a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be sent online at www.barclayfuneralhome.com.
