ALEXANDER BRUCE MACKAY

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ALEXANDER BRUCE MACKAY It is with deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Bruce Mackay on December 28, 2001 at St. Boniface General Hospital. Bruce is survived by his partner, loving wife Susan McDonald; his son Dr. Byron Mackay of Burlington, ON; his mother and step-father Vivienne and Jim Pearn of Headingly; brothers, Cliff (Joan) of Toronto, Bill (Marilyn) of Winnipeg, Stuart (Cindy) of Whitehorse; step-sisters, Lynn Hasell (Bob), Patricia McClintock (Brian) and step-brother Ken Pearn (Nancy) his aunt Helen Crowe of Vancouver; uncle Stuart Clifford of Toronto; mother-in-law Irene McDonald; brothers-in-law, Reg McDonald, Norman Hebert; sister-in-law Leslie Shields (Tom) of Thunder Bay and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Bruce was born on October 4, 1945. Being part of a military family, his education spanned most of Canada and Germany. He attended the University of Manitoba and graduated in 1970. He was a social worker in Winnipeg for a year and then joined the Federal Government in the Unemployment Insurance Commission where he worked for 20 years. In becoming involved in the Canada Employment Immigration Union as a Steward, Bruce found his calling. He served as president of the Kenora and District Labour Council in the 1980s. Bruce was passionate about the Labour movement. He moved back to Winnipeg to take a position as Union Representative of The Canada Employment and Immigration Union. He always felt rewarded and honoured to be employed by the Union and he believed deeply that he worked for the members. He loved his work and was enthusiastic about attending picket lines, offering training and leading Fellow Workers in song. Bruce became a member of the Winnipeg Labour Council where he contributed honesty, commitment, and energy. His most recent position was Recording Secretary. He had a dream of an annual May Works in Winnipeg. He collaborated with like-minded Unionists to ensure a May Day parade and May Works - a celebration of Labour in the arts. Bruce was proud to be a member of the Winnipeg Labour Choir and revelled in collecting and collating song sheets of Union music. He was particularly fond of acquiring and singing historical Wobbly music. A "keeper of the key" - he believed Union history must be kept alive and shared. To friends and Fellow Workers, Bruce encapsulated the spirit of the Union movement. He was a traditionalist, feminist and above all a humanist. He believed in the sanctity of life and believed in empowering people. We will always remember you Bruce as a man with a gentle heart. Bruce was committed to social justice and was an active member of Amnesty International, Food Not Bombs, the IWW and he worked diligently on campaigns for the NDP. He made the Folk Festival an annual event where friends looked forward to his yearly tail gate parties. He loved his garden and excitedly prepared salsas and herbal vinegars to share with others. He was a master cook and delighted in finding new recipes to surprise Susan and to offer to friends. We miss you, Bruce, and you will be forever in our hearts. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the Thomson Funeral Chapel, 669 Broadway. In lieu of flowers a donation in Bruces memory to Amnesty International, the Winnipeg Humane Society, the IWW or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2001