Obituary of Wayne MacKay

At the Atlantic Baptist Nursing Home in Charlottetown on Sunday, November 19, 2023 the death occurred of Winston Wayne MacKay, aged 78 years. 

 

Much loved husband of Lynn MacKay (Emery) and father of Darcy MacKay (Monique) and Rosanne MacKay (Sean). Beloved Poppa to Gavin, Emery and Oscar.

 

Born in High Bank, PEI and growing up in Murray River, Wayne was the son of the late William and Christine MacKay. Wayne is survived by his sisters Jessie Ann (the late Robert) and Donalda (Evan) and predeceased by his parents as well as siblings Angus (Maisie), Leona (Oliver), Sterling (Maureen), and Catherine (Basil) and many dear family members and friends.

 

After growing up in Murray River and attending high school in Montague, where he would cross paths with his future wife Lynn, Wayne attended machining trade school in Halifax. Wayne and Lynn set off for Alberta where they married and had their children. But the call of home brought them back east not long after, eventually settling in Stratford PEI. Wayne launched his machining career in the late 1970s, which continued for 40 years, until he retired in 2017 at the age of 72.

 

Wayne was an avid reader with a particular interest in war history – no doubt sparked by the many family members who served. Throughout his life Wayne had a sustained interest in trying new things – scuba diving, photography, power boating, sailing, online research, cooking, golf and live concerts (including AC/DC when he was 70!) to name a few. He was also a big believer in giving back. Wayne served as a volunteer firefighter in what was then the Crossroads Fire Department, became a Big Brother and supported many charitable organizations over the years.

 

Wayne enjoyed traveling, taking trips across Canada, spending time with friends and family in nearly every province, as well as memorable family visits to Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Montana, Arizona and Florida. Wayne relished the time he and Lynn spent vacationing in Cuba and the Bahamas and loved visiting Darcy, Monique and Oscar and family in Ireland.

 

Becoming a grandfather was one of Wayne’s greatest joys and he was an engaged and loving “Poppa” to Gavin, Emery and Oscar.

 

Wayne’s family are thankful for the care Wayne received on unit 3 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and at Atlantic Baptist but are particularly grateful for the kindness and care shown to Wayne by the staff on unit 5 at the Hillsborough Hospital during the months Wayne was there.

 

Wayne will be remembered by his extended family, friends, former colleagues, those he encountered through shared love of boating, fishing, travel, music, and family, and anyone who had the pleasure of hearing his contagious belly laugh.

 

Resting at the Hillsboro Funeral Home in Stratford. Visiting hours will take place Friday, November 24, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at Hillsboro Funeral Home. The family will also have a celebration of life in summer 2024.    

 

Memorial donations may be made online to the Alzheimer Society.