ABERCROMBIE – It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our hero, John Bernard (Sar) MacKenzie, 76, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at home with his wife and grandson by his side. He lived, he laughed and he loved.
Born in New Glasgow on October 6, 1934 to the late John (Sar) MacKenzie and Mary Elizabeth (Marion nee Callaghan) of Stellarton.
He started his career in the army with the Black Watch, leaving for medical reasons, to work at Riverview Home where he worked for more then 33 years. He was a avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time at their cottage on Locharbor Lake. After retirement he could be found with the ATV club or in the morning at McDonalds with the Black Watch Coffee Club or in the evening at Wendys/Tim Hortons for coffee. He was a long standing member of Branch 28 Royal Canadian Legion, Stellarton.
He was well known for his many different carvings and folk art paintings. He was always fixing something or "tinkering in the barn".
He leaves behind all the many wonderful memories with his loving wife and best friend of 52 years, Joy; the blessings and greatest joys of his life his daughters: Jacqueline (Bruce Spears, Westville); Janice (Donnie Ross, Stellarton/Halifax); Jocelyn (Paul Diamond, Abercrombie) and Josephine (Delbert Welsh, Pictou); son-in-law, Jim Bell (Susan); Papa's 10 grandchildren: John, Jeremy, Shyla and Meghan Bell, Tammy and Carla Spears, Christopher and Bradley Smith, Coby and Janessa Diamond and George Welsh; four great-grandchildren: Morgan, Jacob, Silvi and Clayton.
He is survived by a sister, Lois (Jim Bruce, New Glasgow) and brother, Bill Gorman, New Brunswick.
Besides his parents he was predeceased by his daughter, Judith.
Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Home, Stellarton. Memorial Mass will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Stellarton, with Father Peter MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in the Abercrombie Cemetery.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.