1926 – 2017

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Roderick MacKenzie of Kamloops, BC, on November 27th, 2017, at 91 years of age. Roderick is survived by his children Diane (Simon) MacKenzie of Lewes, East Sussex, England, and Carol MacKenzie of Calgary, AB, as well as his grandchildren Mikaela MacKenzie, and Annika MacKenzie.

Roderick was predeceased by his wife Aili MacKenzie, and his brothers John and Kenneth MacKenzie.

Roderick was born on August 20th, 1926, in Fort William (Thunder Bay), ON, to Christina and Murdo MacKenzie – who had recently immigrated from the Isle of Lewis, Scotland.

Roderick’s passion from an early age was aviation and he spent all his spare time working and volunteering at the airport in Fort William, eventually attaining his private pilot’s licence. In the late 1950s he met the love of his life, Aili, and literally swept her off her feet on their first date when he took her flying.

After marrying Aili in 1958, Roderick worked for the railroad while studying for his Registered Industrial Accounting certification. As an accountant Rod worked in the Treasury Department for the city of Port Arthur and then Thunder Bay. In 1973 he moved the family to Kamloops to work for the BC government as a business tax auditor.

Rod and Aili enjoyed traveling nationally and internationally until Aili suffered a stroke in 1984, when Rod took early retirement to lovingly care for her at home.

Rod was active in the community: serving as an elder at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, a Board member at St Andrew’s on the Square, and as a long-term supporter of the Stroke Recovery Association of B.C. Above all he enjoyed socializing over a cup (or two) of coffee!

To quote a good friend, “Rod demonstrated all the very best traits of us humans – those being honesty, loyalty, intelligence, faithfulness, humor, and above all, love -which of all these he gave freely to all of us.”

A Funeral Service for Roderick will take place at 11:00am on Friday, December 1st, 2017, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church with Harold Wiest, Minister, officiating. The interment will take place at 10:00am on Friday, December 1st, 2017 at Pleasant Street Cemetery.

Donations in Roderick’s memory to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, the Stroke Recovery Association (Kamloops), or St. Andrew’s on the Square.

Condolences may be expressed at www.myalternatives.ca

• Date : 2017-11-27
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.