McKENZIE, HUGH ALLEN
The incredible journey of Hugh Allen McKenzie came to an end September 9, 2015, the result of pancreatic cancer. He was a gentleman who touched the lives of so many.
Born August 17, 1937 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; he was the son of Gordon Hector McKenzie and Dorothy May Dean and the brother to Deanne McKenzie Lessley, now a resident of Arizona. He married Sandra Marie Young in 1966 and has two children: Ian Scott McKenzie of Bedford and Lee-Ann McKenzie-Lapierre of Saint-Sauveur, Quebec. He has two spectacular grandchildren: Maxine Elisabeth Lapierre and Léo-Paul Lapierre – an extraordinary legacy and a source of great joy; each will have special memories of Grampy. Patrick Ward, Kirk Harnish, Rebecca Ragland, Kristina, Carl-Eric and Bente Sobstad, and Bill Lessley are extended family also grieving the loss of Allen.
A graduate of Moncton High School Class of ’58, Allen had an Air Cadet Scholarship to Sir George Williams University in Montreal (now Concordia).
He worked 35 years as a passenger agent with Air Canada and traveled widely with the love of his life, Sandra, and enjoyed helping others with their travel plans as well. He was also a huge contributing force at the chapel at the Halifax Robert Stanfield International Airport. Allen organized fund raising dinners for the YMCA, was a scout leader, the owner of the Windjammer motel in Chester, where he saved the local train station while on the chamber of commerce, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Allen studied Healing Touch with Althea Woods, and sang tenor in the City of Lakes Barbershop Chorus and was an active member of SPEBSQSA. He was a kilted driver-guide with Ambassatours/Grey Line. He was a gifted mentor, extending hospitality to all and working to make dreams a reality.
One of his most outstanding achievements was CHEEMA Aquatic Club. He was the last of the surviving founders of the CHEEMA Aquatic Club and had served as Commodore. A superb and witty story teller, Allen was both entertainer and historian of family and friends history. It was because of Allen’s love of family and friends that relationships and early history have been maintained.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 18th at 2:00 pm, at St. John’s United Church, Fall River, where for many years he served as an elder. The Reverend Matthew Fillier will preside. A reception will follow in the church hall.
The family requests that donations be made in Allen’s memory to Craig’s Cause – Pancreatic Cancer (www.craigscause.ca/) or to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.