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DR. (LARRY)CLARENCE ROY MACKIE, OBE, GC
Born: Jun 07, 1943
Date of Passing: Jun 05, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDR. (LARRY)CLARENCE ROY MACKIE, OBE, GC
With profound sadness, Dr. Larry Mackie passed away peacefully on June 5,2026, after a long 2 year battle with major health issues. He was cared for by his loving husband and soulmate James of 58 years. Larry never drank, never smoked and was a vegetarian for over 40 years. He was always healthy and active, so his end of life was a shock for all who knew him. Born in Melita, MB to Douglas and Ruth Mackie, Larry was predeceased by his brother Clive in 1940, his father Doug in 1988 and mother Ruth in 2021. Larry is survived by his husband James, his brother Neil (Marie) and sister Lynda (Pete), as well as several much loved nieces and nephews.
Larry's voice could cut through a crowd and for someone with such high intelligence and class, he was also very clumsy. Even though he walked with his head held high and with purpose, it wasn't unusual for him to walk into light standards and break his nose, or fall off a curb and twist his ankle, walk into glass doors or fall down a flight of stairs carrying a tray of mom's best china. Larry had the best laugh and was a champion roller skater (in his youth).
Larry started his career at the Selkirk Mental Health Centre and graduated in 1966 and was the first male ever to be awarded the Manitoba Gold Medal for academic and clinical proficiency. This inspired Larry to pursue a career in the medical field.
Larry moved to Toronto in 1968 and then left Canada in 1969 for undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom. While at university he met his life long partner Dr. James Welch in 1969. Both Larry and James worked within the National Health Service England and Scotland and travelled extensively on working assignments throughout the world. Larry rose meteorically through the ranks of the National Health Service to become the youngest appointed Chief Officer of a Regional Health Board in Scotland in 1984. Hewas responsible for 27 hospitals, 52 health centres and clinics and the College of Nursing and Midwifery. ln 1987 Larry was head-hunted by the Saudi Government to become the Executive Director within the Ministry of Defense Medical Services department for the Kingdom's military hospitals. ln 1992 Larry and James moved to Lanzarote, an island off the coast of North Africa, under the World Health Organization, as consultants to establish a new hospital service for the island. ln 2000 Larry and James settled in Madrid for 8 years, working within the Health Policy Unit for the Ministry of Health with Larry working as an Epidemiologist.
When Larry and James returned to Winnipeg from 2008 to 2013, Larry became a Director for the Selkirk Mental Health Centre Archives where his career began. Their main goal was to move back to help Lynda care for their mom. lt was fortunate timing as mom broke her hip in 2008 at age 86, and with their diligence, determination and visiting her everyday in the hospital to force her to do the therapy, this enabled mom to live another 13 years until age 99 with great health. They moved back to the UK for 4 years before returning to Canadain2017 to live out their retirement in Toronto.
Larry received numerous degrees; most notably in 1989 when Her Majesty the Queen awarded him the Rank of Officer within the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the United Kingdom National Health Services; Meritorious Awards from Her Majesty the Queen in 1986 and 2021; PhD in Health Economics and Epidemiology.
We were all so very proud of Larry and his lifetime of hard work and achievements. We loved him very much and will miss him dearly.
As Larry wished, no funeral will take place. His ashes will be laid to rest alongside Clive in Melita and mom and dad in Winnipeg.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 18, 2026
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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I met Larry in high school in Winnipeg and he sparked my long interest in roller skating. When I moved to Calgary, I was able to teach children and even have them do a yearly recital for their proud families. Often, when visiting friends and family in Winnipeg, I'd contact Larry, and several years later, when my husband and I travelled to Europe, we spent a wonderful several days with Larry and James. After that, I did see the two of them one last time when they were living in Winnipeg, at the home of another long time mutual friend, Jan. After that, I knew they were thinking of moving away, as the Winnipeg winters were hard - especially on James! - and we lost touch. I will never forget Larry's kindness and warm friendship. To James, my deep condolences. - Posted by: (Lorraine) Merryl Koenen (nee Linford) (friend in high school and many years after.) on: Jul 21, 2026