MacKAY, Paul Edward of Lakeview, Halifax Municipality, beloved husband and father passed away on March 15, 2023, in the Victoria General Hospital. Born in Onslow on October 19, 1939, Paul's family moved to Debert when he was ten. He was the eldest son of the late William and Charlotte (McCully) MacKay.

Besides his parents, Paul was predeceased by sisters, Patsy (in childhood) and Janet (MacKay Langille) (Paul, deceased) Swan and brother, Dale (Jean, deceased); beloved aunts, uncles and friends. In the last three years, Paul lost the remaining members of his parent's families - his aunts, Margaret MacKay MacLaren and Hope McCully Murphy.

Paul is survived by and will be sadly missed by his wife, Phyllis (French) MacKay; son, Evan (Laura) of Dieppe, NB; sister, Cheryl MacKay (Maurice) of Toronto; brothers, Jeffery (Shelle) and Daniel (Donna), both of Debert. Paul treasured all his family and his many friends. He liked everyone he ever met. but he had friends and relatives who were special - two Bills, two Bobs, Charlie, two Daves, Dick, two Johns, Mike, Rick, Sandy, Steve, Ted and Walt plus the Murphy cousins, the Shearer cousins, the MacKay cousins as well as nieces and nephews.

His father was a self-employed electrical contractor and also ran a small-scale vegetable farm. Paul and his brother, Dale, spent many hours weeding the gardens and picking potato bugs while their friends played ball and went swimming at Sharp Rock.

In his teens, Paul became a backyard mechanic with the guidance of friend, Karl Mosher. He purchased his first car when he was sixteen, a 1949 Austin. In later years, he owned and restored antique cars and belonged to the Halifax Antique Car Club, the Volvo Club of America, and the local Volvo Club. He and his fellow enthusiasts spent many hours on the hunt for parts. His other passion and hobby was collecting toy metal cars and the walls of his “Toy Room” are lined with cabinets of miniature cars. He traded with friends and other collectors. The stamp, coin and match box collections from earlier years were almost forgotten.
Losing his father in his teens caused hardships for his mother and his five siblings. Paul left school at sixteen to help support his family. He worked for the Colchester Co-Op in Debert and then at Wilson’s Truck Body in Onslow. After he and Phyllis were married, Paul apprenticed as a carpenter with his great uncle, Currie Geldart in Truro. In 1965, he moved his family to Dartmouth where he worked at the Volvo plant. Eventually, Paul realized his calling as a craftsman and began building and renovating homes and crafting furniture. He built both homes that he and his family lived in and that of his mother, plus worked on homes for a brother, a cousin and others. Several people own furniture crafted by his skilled hands. In his 70's, he whittled horses as gifts for family and friends.

Paul was always a quiet person, but he was very social and enjoyed being around people. Although he did not play any musical instruments, he loved country music, especially when played live. He seemed to be happiest when the radio provided music as background for all his activities. Paul attended Mike O'Leary's Lakeview Jam Band where music from every genre was played weekly along with Paul's favourite fiddle tune, Maple Sugar.

Paul also loved animals and birds and religiously fed the birds. He had no grandchildren to lavish his love on, so he transferred that love to his little dogs, Sami first and then Jennah. Both will be buried with him.
Paul took up golf in his 50's with his friend, Charlie Vienneau, and enjoyed being outdoors. He didn't become proficient at the game but enjoyed the friendly competition and camaraderie with relatives and friends. Men's Night at the Debert Golf Club was a favourite destination.

Paul and Phyllis loved to travel, but after Paul was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (fast heartbeat) in 2006 they could not travel far from home. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2017 and life became much more difficult.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Ildigo MacDonald, Paul's family doctor, and her assistant, Darlene Mury for all their help during the bad times. He spent three months in the Victoria General Hospital, and we want to thank the staff of 9B who helped make his life bearable with their friendliness and care. Also, thanks to all those who visited and sent cards to a lonely, bored and sick man.

Memorial donations may be made to HRM Search & Rescue, Debert Fire Department, Hope for Wildlife or a charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life with reception to commemorate Paul’s life will be held on Saturday, June 24th from 12 - 2 pm in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro, NS. Masks will be available. Online condolences can be made at www.ColchesterCommunity.com