MALCOLM HUGH (MAC) MCKINNON

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MALCOLM HUGH (MAC) MCKINNON March 14, 1919- April 3, 2004 Peacefully on April 3, 2004 at the E.M. Crowe Memorial Hospital in Eriksdale, MB, Malcolm Hugh (Mac) McKinnon aged 85 years of Lundar, MB. The eldest son of Archie and Alice McKinnon of Minto, MB, Mac attended school and later as a young man worked on farms in the Minto area. Enlisting with the RCNVR in 1941, Mac served as a Signalman on Corvettes (HMCS Ville de Quebec) in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, English Channel, and Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 1946 he began his career with the Manitoba Power Commission (MPC), and in 1949 Mac was assigned the duty of District Supervisor of the newly created Lundar district for the MPC. On January 1, 1949, he met Kathleen (Kay), daughter of T.J. (Tom) and Tena Wray, pioneers of Baldur area. They were married November 12, 1949. Not only did Mac supervise the introduction and maintenance of electrical power in Lundar, Oak Point, St. Laurent, Eriksdale, and surrounding communities, he pioneered the conversion to electric heating in Manitoba, and trained many MPC/ Manitoba Hydro employees over his 33 years as District Supervisor, retiring in 1979. He then worked as a Planning Officer and Secretary-Treasurer of the Western Interlake Planning District for the rural municipalities of St. Laurent, Coldwell, and Siglunes. Mac actively participated in community organizations, including the Lundar Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Life Member), the Lundar Curling Club, Grettir, Lundar Senior Citizens Home Board, Lundar Volunteer Fire Brigade, Lundar Fair committees, Lundar School Board, the planning committee for the Lundar Centennial, the New Horizons Club, and others. For many of these organizations, he served as treasurer. Mac was a volunteer builder of the Lundar arena and installed the arena lighting. In later years, he regularly delivered Meals on Wheels. Mac was a Past Master of the Harry Woods Masonic Lodge, and was a Mason for over 50 years. Mac enjoyed reading and gardening. He always decorated his home with Christmas lights, helped Kay with her ceramics, and enjoyed travelling in Canada, the USA, and Europe. In 1994, he made a memorable trip to Quebec City as an honoured guest at the commissioning of the new HMCS Ville de Quebec. He is survived by one son James Ian McKinnon of Winnipeg, daughters, Jocelyn Tyree McKinnon of Barrhead, AB and Dr. Allison Lois McKinnon of Sherwood Park, AB; granddaughter Jennifer (Rob) Brandt of Steinbach, MB; two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Hunter; one sister Nina McKinnon of Brandon, MB; his nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and many friends. In recent years Mac especially enjoyed visits with his granddaughter and great-grandchildren who called him "Papa Mac". Mac was predeceased by his wife Kay in 1997; sister Margaret and brother-in-law Earle Mains; brothers, Archie and Ken; brothers-in-law, Murray Wray, Les Wray, Aubrey Wray, Clyde Wray and Joseph Wray; sisters-in-law, Isabelle Wray, Peggy Wray, Viola Wray, Olive Wray, Isabel Heal, and Myrtle Brooks. At the request of the deceased, cremation has taken place and no public service will be held. Special thanks to Dr. Neil Burnet, Macs home care workers, all staff of the E. M. Crowe Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care, and friends who came to visit during his illness. Charitable donations in Macs memory may be made to an organization of ones choice. Miss Me But Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want not rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free? Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. Ashern - Lundar (204)768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 10, 2004