HERMAN MACKENZIE (MACK) KAST

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HERMAN MACKENZIE (MACK) KAST

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herman Mackenzie (Mack) Kast on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.

Mack is survived by his partner of 18 years Zipporah Mungai, daughter Nicole Erin Kast and son William Mackenzie Mungai, along with grandchildren Colin, Sky, Ruby, Journey, Jayson, Nathaniel, and Codie, and great-grandchildren Sienna and Elisia. He will also be missed by his brother Harold (Wendy) Kast, and sisters Bertha (William) Nelson and Irene (Patrick) Duffy. Elaine (wife of the late Albert) Kast, along with his doting nieces and nephews, their children and his dear friends will all miss him dearly. He is predeceased by his parents Herman and Cecelia Kast, and his brother Albert Kast.

Mack was born on June 20, 1945, in Kenora Ontario and grew up in Sioux Narrows where the Kast family established what is now known as Tomahawk Resort. He spent part of his youth working at the family store and gas station on the highway, learning the ins and outs of running a business early on. Mack attended the University of Toronto earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree and his designation as a Chartered Accountant. While in Toronto he met and married Nancy Scott with whom he later welcomed his daughter Nicole.

Throughout his career, Mack held a number of leadership roles in finance, accounting and regulatory affairs for Ontario Hydro, ICG Corporation, Centra Gas, and Manitoba Hydro. While ambitious and a visionary, he also found time to mentor those around him and was respected by those who worked with him. Following his retirement, Mack worked on various projects for Manitoba Hydro International both within Canada and internationally in Nigeria, Liberia, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Bulgaria, Albania, Romania and Kenya.

While working abroad, he met Zipporah and was blessed with his son William. Mack was fortunate to split his time between his home in Sioux Narrows, residence in Winnipeg and overseas with Zipporah and William during the later years of his life. Mack’s love for the outdoors ultimately always brought him home to Sioux Narrows where he spent his time building, restoring, and enjoying his Ontario home. It was his happy place where he was able to pursue his passion for fishing and woodworking. He often hosted friends and family at his home, engaging them in his ongoing renovations, while always making time for fishing, food and fellowship.

We have so many wonderful and fond memories of time with Mack which we will treasure for years to come. Mack loved to bake and we all were fortunate to be the recipients of his cinnamon buns, cookies and blueberry pies. He loved music - whether doing a polka or singing along to the jukebox. He also loved telling a good story and having a good laugh - often on his deck in Ontario. He was the family trickster as a kid, and as an adult, often pulling pranks on his siblings and those closest to him. He had a dry sense of humor and was a bit of a “cheeky monkey.” Always present at family dinners, gatherings and celebrations was Mack’s laugh and very long toasts (“thanks to the good lord for making it all possible”).

Mack loved and cared deeply for those around him, often doting, was committed to his causes, was compassionate, and consistently persistent in his passions, believing “there was no mountain too high.” It is this commitment to a good life in all of its forms that he leaves with all of us. He served as a great role model to his children, family and friends and we will cherish the time we had with him.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in Winnipeg, date to be determined, followed by a private graveside service which will be held in Sioux Narrows.

Mack strongly believed in the importance of blood donations having been a long time and regular donor through much of his life. Donations in his memory can may be made to the Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 4J5.

In tears I saw you sinking,

I watched you fade away.

You endured much in silence,

You fought so hard to stay.

You faced your mission with courage,

Your spirit did not bend,

But still you kept on fighting

Until the very end.

God saw you getting tired,

When a change was not to be,

So He put his arms around you,

And whispered, “Come to Me”.

So when I saw you sleeping,

So peaceful, free from pain,

I could not wish you back,

To endure yet again.

You didn’t deserve what you went through,

So He took you home to rest,

God’s garden must be beautiful,

For He only takes the best.

NEIL BARDAL

FUNERAL CENTRE

204-949-2200

neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 20, 2025