WILLIAM GEORGE HENDERSON MACKAY

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WILLIAM GEORGE HENDERSON MACKAY Passed away at the Carbonear Hospital in Carbonear, Newfoundland on Tuesday, December 25, aged 63 years. Bill was born in Vancouver, April 22, 1949. His father was in the Armed Forces, and Bill and his family lived in many places, including Shilo, MB, Shearwater, NS, and Hemer, Germany. He finally settled in Winnipeg and completed a Bachelor degree in political science at the University of Winnipeg, continuing on with post-graduate work at the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba. It was during his time at the University of Winnipeg that he met his wife Marilyn, and they married in 1975. For a time, they were teaching together at John Pritchard School, with Bill teaching Junior High math and history. He later moved on teaching the GED program at Stoney Mountain Penitentiary. Bill's love of politics led him to Winnipeg City Hall where he worked as an executive assistant to Councillor Amaro Silva, and later as an arbitrator with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Program administered by the Better Business Bureau of Manitoba. Bill had a long association with the Liberal party in Manitoba and worked election campaigns in municipal, provincial and federal elections. This led to many lifelong friendships across Canada. One of the most enjoyable rewards of these associations was the five years spent as a civilian Aide de Camp to Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard. It was during a trip to Newfoundland in 2005, to celebrate their 30th anniversary, that Bill and Marilyn fell in love with Newfoundland. Within a year, they had acquired property in the pretty village of Salmon Cove. This was to be their retirement home. Quadruple bypass surgery in 2007 landed Bill in hospital for seven months where he underwent six additional surgeries. After a year's recuperation, the move was finally made to Newfoundland where they built their dream home overlooking the ocean. For three years, they operated their home as a bed and breakfast, which was aptly named At William's Rest Bill had a generous and indomitable spirit, a kind, sincere nature and a soft-spoken manner. He demonstrated great courage in forging ahead with his dream of moving to Newfoundland despite so many physical setbacks. He loved a joke and would search for weeks for the perfect outrageous birthday card for his sister-in-law. He was dedicated to his family, sharing a love of history with his brothers. He loved meeting new people and sharing new stories. Bill is survived by his wife Marilyn; mother and stepfather Vivienne and Jim Pearn of Winnipeg; brother Stu and wife Cindy of Whitehorse, Yukon; sister-in-law Joan, Kingston, Ontario; nephews Chris (Carrie) of Windsor; Byron (Debbie) Toronto; Sandy and Colin, Whitehorse; niece, Lisa and son Harrison; brother-in-law James Hiebert (Jacqueline) Winnipeg and many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father Jim in 1967, brother Bruce in 2001 and brother Cliff in 2012. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for Bill will be held at the Kildonan Community Church, 2373 Main Street, Winnipeg, at 3:00 Friday, April 19. In Bill's memory, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2013