In Memory of
Alan
MacKenzie
MacKenzie
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Obituary for Alan MacKenzie
MacKenzie, Alan Michael – 76, Hilden, passed away suddenly at home on February 19, 2021. He was born on September 3, 1944 in Truro to the late Arthur E. and Jean (MacDonald) MacKenzie.
A railroader all of his working life, Alan started at eighteen years old as a telegrapher for CN, then a brakeman that took him to many parts of the province. He eventually switched to Conductor with VIA Rail and in fact, was Canada’s last conductor, retiring in 1998.
Raised on a farm on East Prince, he fulfilled his dream of owning his own hobby farm in Earltown where he raised his family. The old house would later be a well-known and photographed “abandoned house” on social media. He enjoyed beekeeping, loved baseball and hockey and called himself an amateur birdwatcher. At one point, he won awards with his old hunting dogs, “Pat”, “Mike” and “Streaker.” Content in his garden, he was most happy when his family was close.
He is survived by his wife, Gail (Arsenault); daughters, Lisa Hartlen, Pleasant Valley and Lori MacKenzie, Bible Hill; stepson, Jean Paul Doiron (Korey), Onslow Mountain; stepdaughter, Jeannine Garrett (Mike), North River; grandchildren, Cash, Taylor (Logan), Amielia (Brylin), Lila, Robert and great granddaughter, Ellie; sister, Judy Daley; brother, Stephen MacKenzie; sisters-in-law, Marie Bourinot, Anne (Ken) Clements, Donna Grant; brothers-in-law, Rene Sabourin, John (Jodie) Arsenault, Kenny Arsenault and Greg (Janice) Arsenault; special nephews, Peter and Jerome Sabourin, Art Daley and nieces, Trisha and MacKenzie.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Linda Sabourin; mother and father-in-law, Leonard and Mary Arsenault; sister-in-law, Susan Arsenault; brothers-in-law, Brian Daley, Lloyd Bourinot, Alan and Darryl Arsenault.
Also left to remember him are his “railway buddies” as well as many other close friends and neighbours who were always there for him. If you were Alan’s friend, you were his friend for life. If you were one of his “email friends,” you would know he was quite a storyteller. Always loved to joke, pull pranks and to laugh. He ended all his phone conversations with “I love you” and ended all his emails with “Love Me, Al, Alan, Dad, Grumpy, Sztanley.”
Donations in Alan’s memory may be made to the IWK or Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro.
A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26th from 6-8pm in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. COVID-19 restrictions in place. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ColchesterCommunity.com
A railroader all of his working life, Alan started at eighteen years old as a telegrapher for CN, then a brakeman that took him to many parts of the province. He eventually switched to Conductor with VIA Rail and in fact, was Canada’s last conductor, retiring in 1998.
Raised on a farm on East Prince, he fulfilled his dream of owning his own hobby farm in Earltown where he raised his family. The old house would later be a well-known and photographed “abandoned house” on social media. He enjoyed beekeeping, loved baseball and hockey and called himself an amateur birdwatcher. At one point, he won awards with his old hunting dogs, “Pat”, “Mike” and “Streaker.” Content in his garden, he was most happy when his family was close.
He is survived by his wife, Gail (Arsenault); daughters, Lisa Hartlen, Pleasant Valley and Lori MacKenzie, Bible Hill; stepson, Jean Paul Doiron (Korey), Onslow Mountain; stepdaughter, Jeannine Garrett (Mike), North River; grandchildren, Cash, Taylor (Logan), Amielia (Brylin), Lila, Robert and great granddaughter, Ellie; sister, Judy Daley; brother, Stephen MacKenzie; sisters-in-law, Marie Bourinot, Anne (Ken) Clements, Donna Grant; brothers-in-law, Rene Sabourin, John (Jodie) Arsenault, Kenny Arsenault and Greg (Janice) Arsenault; special nephews, Peter and Jerome Sabourin, Art Daley and nieces, Trisha and MacKenzie.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by sister, Linda Sabourin; mother and father-in-law, Leonard and Mary Arsenault; sister-in-law, Susan Arsenault; brothers-in-law, Brian Daley, Lloyd Bourinot, Alan and Darryl Arsenault.
Also left to remember him are his “railway buddies” as well as many other close friends and neighbours who were always there for him. If you were Alan’s friend, you were his friend for life. If you were one of his “email friends,” you would know he was quite a storyteller. Always loved to joke, pull pranks and to laugh. He ended all his phone conversations with “I love you” and ended all his emails with “Love Me, Al, Alan, Dad, Grumpy, Sztanley.”
Donations in Alan’s memory may be made to the IWK or Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro.
A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26th from 6-8pm in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. COVID-19 restrictions in place. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ColchesterCommunity.com