Obituary for Bob MacKenzie
Robert Earl MacKenzie of 55 Water St E., Brockville, Ontario died on February 22, 2023, at home under palliative care after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was predeceased by his wife Carol and by his parents. Robert will be dearly missed by his son Kevin (wife Corina Rogge), his daughter Lisa (husband Christopher Cook), and his grandchildren Jackson Cook, Duncan Cook, and Sydney Cook. He also leaves behind extended family in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario, and the United States.
Bob married Carol Jean Lynds of Bible Hill, Nova Scotia on Saturday, June 26,1965, and they lived in Ithaca, New York and Berkeley, California before moving to Montreal in 1971. Bob and Carol lived in Montreal West for more than thirty years and were deeply involved in local schools and recreation programs. They cherished the friendship of the Meighens, Millwards, and Mushynskis, Bob’s close McGill colleagues. When Carol retired, they moved to Beaconsfield to dote on their young grandchildren, and when Bob retired, they moved to Brockville to join a small community not unlike the town in which they met and fell in love. Bob and Carol loved to cycle and cross-country ski, and in Brockville they found good friends with whom to share these pastimes, as well as projects, programs, and clubs in which to participate. They were especially passionate about volunteering in Palliative Care at Brockville General Hospital.
Bob was born October 12, 1941, to Earl Augustus MacKenzie and Mary Elizabeth MacKenzie (Wamboldt) in Truro, Nova Scotia. He earned a B.Sc. in Agriculture from McGill University, a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and did postdoctoral studies at University of California, Berkeley. Bob joined the McGill Department of Biochemistry as an Assistant Professor in 1971, and his love of the intricacies of metabolism inspired both his research and his teaching. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1976, and Professor in 1983; he served as Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Medicine from 1997 to 2005; and he became the first University Research Integrity Officer in 2009. He was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus upon retiring in 2010.
His family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances will never forget his joyful energy, his genuine interest in those around him, and his delight at tackling a new project, challenge, or question. He took great joy and satisfaction in seeing his children grow up, encounter challenges, and find loving partners of their own. Bob loved to spend time with his grandchildren and reveled in sharing their news. Bob believed that much of the fulfilment that he found in family, work, and play, and many of his achievements, depended on opportunities that had been afforded to him by others. Of the many opportunities that Brockville offered, none enriched his life more than volunteering with the palliative care program, learning from and working with the Brockville General Hospital staff.
As per his wishes, his ashes will be interred in Truro, Nova Scotia, in a private family ceremony. Arrangements are entrusted to the Irvine Funeral Home, 4 James Street East, Brockville, ON. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Palliative Care program at Brockville General Hospital.
Send a condolence or share a special thought of Bob on the memory wall above.
Bob married Carol Jean Lynds of Bible Hill, Nova Scotia on Saturday, June 26,1965, and they lived in Ithaca, New York and Berkeley, California before moving to Montreal in 1971. Bob and Carol lived in Montreal West for more than thirty years and were deeply involved in local schools and recreation programs. They cherished the friendship of the Meighens, Millwards, and Mushynskis, Bob’s close McGill colleagues. When Carol retired, they moved to Beaconsfield to dote on their young grandchildren, and when Bob retired, they moved to Brockville to join a small community not unlike the town in which they met and fell in love. Bob and Carol loved to cycle and cross-country ski, and in Brockville they found good friends with whom to share these pastimes, as well as projects, programs, and clubs in which to participate. They were especially passionate about volunteering in Palliative Care at Brockville General Hospital.
Bob was born October 12, 1941, to Earl Augustus MacKenzie and Mary Elizabeth MacKenzie (Wamboldt) in Truro, Nova Scotia. He earned a B.Sc. in Agriculture from McGill University, a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and did postdoctoral studies at University of California, Berkeley. Bob joined the McGill Department of Biochemistry as an Assistant Professor in 1971, and his love of the intricacies of metabolism inspired both his research and his teaching. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1976, and Professor in 1983; he served as Associate Dean of Research in the Faculty of Medicine from 1997 to 2005; and he became the first University Research Integrity Officer in 2009. He was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus upon retiring in 2010.
His family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances will never forget his joyful energy, his genuine interest in those around him, and his delight at tackling a new project, challenge, or question. He took great joy and satisfaction in seeing his children grow up, encounter challenges, and find loving partners of their own. Bob loved to spend time with his grandchildren and reveled in sharing their news. Bob believed that much of the fulfilment that he found in family, work, and play, and many of his achievements, depended on opportunities that had been afforded to him by others. Of the many opportunities that Brockville offered, none enriched his life more than volunteering with the palliative care program, learning from and working with the Brockville General Hospital staff.
As per his wishes, his ashes will be interred in Truro, Nova Scotia, in a private family ceremony. Arrangements are entrusted to the Irvine Funeral Home, 4 James Street East, Brockville, ON. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Palliative Care program at Brockville General Hospital.
Send a condolence or share a special thought of Bob on the memory wall above.