WILLIAM BRUCE MACKENZIE

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WILLIAM BRUCE MACKENZIE December 9, 1924 - December 7, 2015 Our Dad, Bill, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2015, two days before his 91st birthday. He will be sadly missed by his daughters Barbara (Alan Barber) and Shelagh (Rod Onotera), daughter-in-law Lynne Gibbings, and grandchildren Colin (Rebecca Vanderhooft), Carolyn, Steven, Michael, Kerri and Graeme. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Joyce (Alcock) and son John, losses he mourned deeply, and also parents Duncan and Ila and siblings Mary and Charles. He attended Kelvin High School. In 1948 he earned a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba. He and Joyce met as students and were married in 1951. Dad worked for many years in the construction industry but found his true vocation as the Registrar of the Association of Professional Engineers of MB. He was very proud to have been awarded an honorary lifetime membership in that organization. Dad liked to camp and canoe and summer vacations were spent camping across Canada, which opened our eyes to the diversity of the country, gave us an appreciation of nature and provided many special family memories. Dad was an avid woodworker. His family proudly uses many pieces of furniture crafted by his skilled hands. He golfed and curled into his mid 80's. He was a longtime member of the Granite Curling Club where he was involved in the Junior Curling program for many years. He enjoyed puzzles, bridge, walking the neighbourhood, studying the world atlas and playing The Boogie Woogie on the piano. Above all he loved words. He wrote poems and limericks, did cryptic crosswords and told terrible puns. It was not unusual to find him pleasurably reading the dictionary. Dementia took his words from him, but he never lost his wonderful smile. A proud Winnipegger, he lived in his home on Riverwood until he was 89 years old, thanks in large part to help from all his neighbours, in particular Pat Andrew and Elaine Ryan who were exceptional friends for many years. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff at St. Norbert Personal Care Home and Dogwood House at the Rosewood for their compassionate care of our father. A private family service will be held. Donations in his memory may be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba or the Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2015