December 15, 1935 – March 19, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John MacKenzie, who died at Health Sciences Centre on Thursday, March 19 at age 84.
He was predeceased by his wife, May; and parents, William and Jessie MacKenzie.
He is survived by his children John (Debbie), Vikki, Shona and Alan (Kathryn); granddaughter Lara, who already misses her pal so much; brother Brian (Joan); nephew Mark (Paula and Aysling); and his close companion Carol. He will also be remembered by the Fraser family and many other friends and relatives in Scotland, as well as the many connections he made in the Winnipeg music community.
John was born on December 15, 1935 in Inverness, Scotland. He started playing music at young age, which led to playing with the Royal Air Force band. While in Scotland he worked at the Tomatin whisky distillery before starting a career in health care. Given limited employment opportunities, he and May moved the family to Selkirk, MB, in 1964. He spent a few more years in health care before becoming a social worker with the City of Winnipeg. After his retirement in 1994, he focused his time on two of his favourite things; his granddaughter and his music, which they also shared together. He played fiddle with Comhaltas Winnipeg, the Southglen Fiddlers and regularly at Folklorama’s Pavilion of Scotland with guitarist Ed Goletzki. Even when his health took a turn last year, he still played as much as he could because it’s “all about the music.” He last performed at a jam night at Sam’s Place on January 31, 2020. The Auld Yin was also known for his great hosting skills (“I’ll pour your first drink, but after that you’re on your own”) and love of Scotch whiskies – which we’ve learned should never be poured with a measure.
The family will hold a private service and a celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date (somewhere with drinks and music).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“Cheers, dad. We love you and miss you already.”
12 thoughts on “John (Eoin) MacKenzie”
John was a great friend with a cheerful disposition and a love of Scottish music & scotch. We travelled to many gigs and traded many tall tales over the past years from our trips to Fargo , the International Peace Gardens ,theScottish Pavilion and the numerous playouts by the Southglen Fiddlers, John was the kind of guy who always made you feel at ease with his warm demeanour and many stories, Rest In Peace my friend,, Happy Trails.
Thanks for the kind words Ed, I know my Dad considered you a great friend and enjoyed playing music with you, especially at the Scottish Pavilion.
Thanks, Ed! We always enjoyed watching you and our dad play music together.
Lara, Alan, John, Vikki and Shona,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Your granda/father was such a kind, generous fun-loving and talented man. He will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies and condolences to you all.
Thank you Wanita, he was one of the good ones, that’s for sure !!
Thank you, Wanita. It’s a tough time, but we have so many great memories to carry us through.
You’re bang on, Ed. John left a fantastic first impression to me with a warm smile and friendly disposition – and what a great fiddle player! I met him just a few years back at Peace Gardens, and not only does he know every tune, but the story behind it too! My only regret is I never met him earlier in life.
My condolences to the family.
Let me know if you need a bagpiper for any part of a service. I would be happy to play for John.
Slainte!
Thank you Troy !! He was a good man, and you’re right about the stories behind the songs, how he remembered all that I don’t know ??
On behalf of the SouthGlen Fiddlers i would like to pass on condolences to the Mackenzie family. John will be missed by all in the SouthGlen Fiddlers and especially for his fiddle playing
and his leadership. John was with the fiddlers for many years. John
was also our past president of the SouthGlen Fiddlers. Rest in peace my friend. President Ray. Honeybun SouthGlen Fiddlers.
I am so sorry for your loss, MacKenzie family. I met John at a fiddle workshop at the Peace Gardens 10 years ago this June. We became fast-fiddle-friends there, and John shared many tunes with me then and in following years, especially slow airs. I helped organize three annual “Scottish Weekends” at a Fargo retirement community, where Ed and John would spend a couple nights, visit with people, play concerts, and jam. I remember the first meeting with the Sisters who owned that community, when we asked if we could serve the whiskey John would bring. We received immediate permission, and thimble-size glasses were provided by the Sisters!) I always think of John when I play tunes he shared with me, especially the Lament for the Death of the Reverend Archie Beaton.
To Vikki & her family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your father left his legacy with you all & with those he touched through his kindness & musical abilities. Cheers to a man who lived well, laughed a lot and loved each one of you dearly. May he rest easy.
i am so sorry to hear about your dad.we first met in the school of music at Uxbrudge and he went Henlow and I went to RAF Regiment band at Catterick Of course he was our best man at our wedding in Richmond yorkshire in september 1956.Once when he was visitingI Iverness he stayed with us in Richmond /Iits possible we had afew drams/ My Clarice and I managed to vist him and May when we retired .and a good time we had.All the very best to you and yours for christmas.yours Jack Middleton