Richard Mackay

Richard John Mackay was born in the family home of Brambledown in the village of Whiteleaf, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, England on June 27, 1946. He was welcomed into the world by parents Peter and Eleanor, and older sister Patricia, who was two years old at the time. As a boy, John loved to roam the countryside every chance he got, and would come home at dinnertime with his pockets full of interesting stones, sticks and fossils. His love of nature lasted all his life.

After graduating from school, he attended agricultural college and worked on a local farm, caring for livestock including shearing sheep, milking cows, dehorning calves and slopping pigs. When John was 18 years old his father passed away after a major heart attack. Soon after, his newly married sister and her husband obtained teaching jobs in Richmond BC and emigrated to Canada. John and his mother followed shortly after. John went to work on a farm in the Fraser Valley but found that animal husbandry in Canada was not as much to his liking as in England. Acting on the advice of a friend he obtained a job with Alf Schneider, who taught him the art of landscaping.

At this point in his life, John met two persons who would become his closest lifelong friends: Martin Hatfield, whom he met at the newly-formed Hot Jazz Club, and Gunther Blasig, with whom he worked at landscaping. John enjoyed music and his taste was eclectic, including rock, classical, country, folk, choral, rap and even extending to two of his favorite recordings, one featuring the chanting of Tibetan monks and another featuring the playing of an Australian didgeridoo. But his lifelong favorite genre was traditional jazz, and it was at the Hot Jazz Club that he met his future wife in 1980. Prior to that, though, in the late 60's, he made the trip of a lifetime with new friend Martin Hatfield: an overland excursion by chartered bus from England to India. They were gone six months and forged a relationship that made them as close as two brothers. For the rest of John's life he would get together with Martin at least once a week and they would solve all the world's problems over a couple of beers. In John's final illness, Martin was an invaluable friend, running vital errands and doing small household jobs on John's behalf. John looked forward eagerly to Martin's frequent visits to buoy up his sometimes flagging spirit.

Another interest John took up after emigrating was painting. He began with oils, but soon found his favored medium was watercolor. Over the 70's and 80's he painted many beautiful landscapes in watercolor with pen and ink details. He also frequently attended the Basic Inquiry Studio on downtown Main Street, run by Gerry Kelly, who became another close friend. Under Gerry's guidance he studied life drawing done in charcoal. Although he never produced any figure drawings for public viewing, he became quite adept, and derived a lot of enjoyment from the pastime.

In 1991 daughter Kaitlin was born, followed by Emily in 1992. And in 1993 he lost his beloved sister Pat to a brain tumor. He packed up his drawing and painting, although he always intended to go back to his art after the children were grown. But by 1998 his health was interfering. After four years of repeated falls and excessive weakness, he was diagnosed in 2002 with myasthenia gravis. In the early years of his illness, the symptoms were controlled well enough with medication that he was able to become the major caregiver for his mother, who had become a bedridden invalid. For six years John nursed her faithfully, even though his own disease was gradually worsening, until her death in 2012 at the age of 91. By that time John's own health became precarious and the next two years were filled with medical challenges and much suffering.

John answered to many names: he was Richard to business and medical acquaintances; John or Johnny to most of his friends and family; nicknamed "Harold" by his hot jazz friends and "Woody" by other friends and his wife's family, with whom he went camping frequently in his 30's and 40's. But no matter what anyone called him he was still the same man, contented with his life, quiet and unassuming, gentle and kind, steadfast and loyal, hardworking with high morals and a deep sense of responsibility. He was a man you could always depend on. Through all his life he was blessed with a droll, dry sense of humor; although as one friend said recently "you had to get it the first time, he never repeated himself." His modesty made him a little hard to get to know, but the effort was more than worth while. Most of his friends trace an acquaintance of many, many years, and he will be sorely missed by all.

His passing at Royal Columbian Hospital was peaceful. Wife and children were with him, he knew he was going and refused to be put on a respirator to prolong his life. He was ready. He is mourned by wife Adele of 32 years, children Kaitlin (now Peter), 23, Emily, 22, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

We will always love you, Johnny. God bless.