WALTER JAMES

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WALTER JAMES MacKAY 1943 - 2004 Peacefully with his wife and daughters by his side, Jim passed away on Monday, March 8, 2004 at the Ottawa Heart Institute. Jim will be dearly missed by his wife Carleen of 32 years; daughters, Kimberly Dufaj (John) and Loralee Schyven (Marcel) granddaughter Elleanne Schyven; sister Lynne Earl (Ken) brother Greg (Donna) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Edna, his father James and his infant brother Keith. Jim was born on June 21, 1943 at Summerside, PEI. He grew up in West Kildonan where he was an active member of the West Kildonan Community Centre, coaching baseball, hockey and football. During his teens he participated in Young Peoples at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church and worked for the YMCA both in Winnipeg and at Camp Stephens in Kenora. Always a sports enthusiast Jim played baseball, hockey and golf in his youth. For a number of years he played on the RRC fastball team and more recently in the RRC curling league. After graduating from West Kildonan Collegiate, Jim attended Normal School and received his teaching certificate. Later he received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg and his Bachelor and Master of Education from the University of Manitoba. He started out as a teacher in Winnipeg School Division No. 1 and joined the staff of Red River College as an instructor in Adult Basic Education in 1965. In 1980 he joined the Teacher Education Department, became Department Head in 1987 and the Chair in 1994. Jim was passionate about education and devoted many personal hours to improving and creating these opportunities for others. Jim was a member of many professional organizations and served on numerous committees both within and outside the college. During the last 11 years he was actively involved in several international projects, the most notable with St. Paul Colleges in the Philippines developing one year training programs for the less fortunate and where he made lasting friendships with the Sisters and staff. Jim was a dedicated employee of RRC for the 39 years taking on numerous tasks and responsibilities including Acting Chair and Acting Dean of Aboriginal Education and Coordinator of Central Michigan University Masters degree programs. In 1971 Jim met and married Carleen. They raised their daughters in Valley Gardens where they spent the past 31 years. Jim took pride and pleasure in his familys accomplishments and doted on his one year old granddaughter. Jim enjoyed travelling, in the early years camping with his family all over North America and in more recent years travelling to more exotic places such as Asia, Africa, South and Central America. He was a devoted husband and father who will be forever in our hearts. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Ottawa Heart Institute for their dedication and care and the hundreds of friends and family who sent their thoughts and prayers. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home with Rev. Nancy Sanders officiating. Interment and reception to follow. Pallbearers will be Al Topham, Ken Earl, Terry Orsulak, Marcel Schyven, Derek Earl and Chris MacKay. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN STREET 338-7111 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolences at www.gleneden-mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 12, 2004