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Obituary of Norman John "Jack" MacKenzie
MACKENZIE, Jack
Norman John “Jack” MacKenzie, S.O.M., of Regina, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Wednesday, August 22, 2018, at Regina Wascana Grace Hospice, at the age of 90. He was predeceased by parents, Robert (Bert) and Olga (Lalier); brothers, Bob, Keith, and Glen; and sisters-in-law, Sally and Bev; as well as his beloved Labrador Nimbus. Jack is survived by sisters-in-law, Barb and Marion; and nieces and nephews, Wendy, Laurie (Abbie Deacon), Dale (Susan), Jeff (Nicki), R.J. (Ruth), Susan (Don Pohl), Blake (Ericka), and Nicole “Koko” Cunningham (John). Also cherishing countless fond memories are numerous great (and great-great) nieces and nephews, extended family, very dear friend Mayvis Goranson, and caregiver and honorary niece, Krista Christensen. Also mourned by staff, students, and parents – past and present – of Jack MacKenzie School, as well as many others whose lives he touched and influenced.
Jack was born October 2, 1927, in Neepawa, Manitoba, the second of four boys. He spent his early years in Franklin, Manitoba, where his father was a principal and School Inspector. The family moved briefly to Roblin, Manitoba, after which they settled for good in Gladstone, Manitoba in 1938. Jack went on to earn three Bachelor and two Master Degrees in Science, Arts, and Physical Education from the Universities of Manitoba, Toronto, and Michigan State. It was a proud moment in 2015, when the University of Regina recognized Jack’s distinguished career and exemplary contributions by awarding him an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Laws honoris causa (LLD).
Jack's work life began with summer jobs on local farms around Gladstone, but his passion for the outdoors blossomed in his late teens as he began working on survey teams, spending summers all over Western Canada. It was the Yukon that captivated him most; it was the beginning of a lifelong love of the North, camping, canoeing, and a keen interest in First Nations history and traditions. Through canoe trips in northern Canada, Jack encouraged children from Southern Saskatchewan and Aboriginal children from the North to come together and learn about one another. He was made an Honorary Brother of Stanley Mission Cree Nation, Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Jack provided assistance to Ted Ohlsen to set up the Northern Lights Fishing Lodge. As well, he made numerous documentary films with the NFB and Discovery Channel and shared his love and knowledge of the outdoors. While Jack was the consummate teacher, he had an insatiable curiosity about people and the world. He travelled widely, read voraciously, and was always learning. Jack loved music and spent many enjoyable hours entertaining with his ukulele. In his younger days, he was a square dance caller.
Jack’s teaching career began in Manitoba, in Swan River, in 1953, and Brandon, in 1954. In 1956, he was offered a position with the Regina Public School Board as the Supervisor of Physical Education, and Regina became his home. He was a teacher, administrator, and visionary who developed innovative physical education and outdoor education programs. Jack is fondly remembered by generations of people throughout the school district. Having provided 31 remarkable years of leadership and inspiration, Jack retired in 1987.
Jack’s commitment to education was evident throughout his life. He was instrumental in establishing Saskairie, an outdoor education centre in the Moose Mountain area over 40 years ago. Thousands of young people were provided with an opportunity to learn about the environment in a natural setting. A strong believer in fostering understanding between cultures, Jack invited Elders of the nearby White Bear First Nations to share their skills and stories with the students. An avid beekeeper for over 30 years, Jack had his hives set up at Saskairie. His honey was enjoyed by many!
On September 19, 2000, the ribbon was cut to open the school that was his namesake, Jack MacKenzie Elementary School. The school quickly became Jack's second home. He welcomed students on the first day of every school year, and was present for special days, sporting events, spelling bees, musical productions, field trips, graduation ceremonies, and his birthday celebrations. How he loved the birthday group-hugs from the students! At Jack MacKenzie School, the motto is “Where effort and kindness count.” Jack commissioned a bronze sculpture for the entrance of the school called “Joy of Effort.” He established the “Random Acts of Kindness Fund” for elementary students in Regina Public Schools, supporting student volunteer projects that focus on acts of kindness in the community and on environmental issues. These values have become an integral part of the shared school culture and have been adopted by students, parents, and teachers. There is little doubt that Jack was a mentor, inspirational leader, kindly grandfather figure, and friend to everyone at the school. However, the relationship was entirely symbiotic – Jack's best days, over the last 18 years, were school days.
Jack was a gifted orator, storyteller and communicator who shared his vision in universities, conference centres, staff rooms, school gymnasiums, and around the campfire. He continued to mentor educators with the creation of a partnership between Jack MacKenzie School and the University of Regina’s HOPE (Health, Outdoor, Physical Education) Program.
Jack has provided leadership to a number of organizations, serving as President, Saskatchewan Camping Association; Founder, Saskatchewan Outdoor Education Association; Founder, Western Canada Physical Education Supervisors Association; President, Regina Natural History Society; President; Provincial Representative, Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association; Charter Member and Chairman of the CAHPER School Physical Activity Programs Committee; President, Saskairie (for 33 years). Jack has been the recipient of numerous awards for his teaching, mentorship, and volunteer service, including the North America Society of Health Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance Fellowship Award; The Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (CAPHER) Award; and in 2009, Jack was awarded the prestigious Saskatchewan Order of Merit (S.O.M.)
Jack also served multiple roles in his family circle. He was a rock of dependability to his parents, brothers, and the two generations that followed. His interest in family history made him the MacKenzie family genealogist, tracking the clan from Golspie on the north coast of Scotland, to North America and beyond. The family tree he fashioned on a wall-sized tarp now resides with a great-niece in Colorado. Christmas without Uncle Jack was somehow muted, but we had to wait our turn as his schedule moved him between Manitoba and British Columbia and regions beyond. Each nephew and niece has a unique memory of Uncle Jack, often involving wrestling, tickling, or being launched high in the air while terrified mothers gasped! How he loved to laugh as the children squealed with delight! But he could be calmer as well, folding his 6' 4” frame into an impromptu cardboard desk, listening intently as a five-year-old niece played teacher and he was the student. Uncle Jack was a man among men and a child among children. In many ways, he was the glue in the MacKenzie family, writing letters and making phone calls all over the continent, updating various branches of the family tree on how the other branches were doing. We will miss him incredibly.
One could write a rather large book about Jack MacKenzie. Outdoorsman, teacher, leader, mentor, athlete, scholar, world-traveller, adventurer, and family man. He might be embarrassed though – because as far as he was concerned, it was never about him.
The family would like to thank Uncle Jack’s many friends, the students, staff, and parents of Jack MacKenzie School, particularly Sarah Haidey and Nicole Krasiun, Dr. Abdulhadi, and staff of the RGH Dialysis Unit, College Park Retirement Residence, Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care, and Regina Wascana Grace Hospice for all their care and support. Special thanks to Krista Christensen for all she has done for “UJ”, we cannot thank you enough for your selfless and steadfast care of our beloved Uncle. We would also like to thank Resurrection Parish and Jack MacKenzie School for graciously providing venues for Jack’s service and reception.
A Celebration of Jack's Life will take place at Resurrection Parish, 3155 Windsor Park Road, Regina, SK on Monday, September 10, 2018 at 6:45 p.m. with Pastor Cameron Fraser of Knox-Metropolitan United Church officiating. A reception will follow the service, across the street at his beloved Jack MacKenzie School. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations to the Random Acts of Kindness Fund are greatly encouraged and appreciated. Donations may be made payable to “Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation” and can be sent to Louise Squire at Investors Group, 100 – 2365 Albert Street, Regina, SK S4P 4K1. Please enclose your contact information with your donation.
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