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James MacKENZIE Obituary

Published by Ottawa Citizen from Feb. 8 to Feb. 9, 2016.

MacKENZIE, James A. "Jim"
Friday, February 5, 2016 at home at age 75. Beloved husband of Sandra Banner. Loving father of Emma Dean, Jamie MacKenzie (Kymber), Shelby Temple (Nicola), Rhianon Banner and Merit Banner (James Allen). Grandpa of Jason (Sarah), Jonathon (Melissa), Jeremy (Ana), William, Benjamin, Morgan, Millicent MacKenzie and great- grandpa of William, Amira and Dominic. Son of the late James MacKenzie and Rita (Rankin) MacKenzie. Predeceased by siblings Walter (Lena) and Joan (the late Roland Andrews). Special uncle to David, Gail, Robbie and Kim. James Mackenzie was known as Jimmy, the Bear, and Dr. Gonzo. He started out a Glace Bay boy and grew into a renegade renaissance man, living life to the fullest in London, Paris, New York and peaceful Mayo. Jim was a beloved teacher, both as a professor who challenged his students and more informally to anyone he met; we have heard so many stories about how he changed lives. He was an author, an editor and an artist. He sang with the voice of an angel. He was an actor and CBC correspondent from Paris. He was a chemist then a lawyer, called to the bar. He completed his doctorate in constitutional law at LSE. But he was most proud of his achievements as federal chief negotiator for the Labrador Inuit Land claims and for Fisheries and Oceans Canada on aboriginal rights through the Marshall decision. Jimmy played hard, drank hard and loved hard. He made it hard not to love him. And we did... we loved him. His family invites you to join them to toast his life at the Heart and Crown, on Clarence St., ahead of the Memorial Service from 3-5 on Thursday followed by a Memorial Gathering to Celebrate Jim at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O'Connor), on Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 6-9 p.m. In memoriam donations to Parkinson Society Ottawa appreciated.
Condolences / Tributes / Donations
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
www.hpmcgarry.ca
613-233-1143

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Recent Activity

October 23, 2016

Sabina posted to the memorial.

February 17, 2016

Marguerite Howey posted to the memorial.

February 9, 2016

Someone posted to the memorial.

13 Entries

Sabina

October 23, 2016

https://youtu.be/4O_YMLDvvnw

Marguerite Howey

February 17, 2016

Jim was my professor for Law 100 at Carleton University. When it came to essay time, I asked him for ideas. He suggested I write on the "Judicial Committee of the Privy Council". Totally baffled, I forged ahead and got an A. It turned out he had written his Doctor of Law thesis on the same subject. We had both come to the same conclusion on the Council's impact. Thus started a friendship of 40 years.

There are much more elequent tributes to Jim's life written above.

My deepest condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.

February 9, 2016

Love you always my dear, dear friend. Larger than life, gentler than an angel. Xxxooo Debra

Gail Mitchell

February 9, 2016

Jim was such an incredible force, he moved mountains through the strength of his intellect, his ability to relate to others and his compassion. He touched so many people on his wide and varied journeys. A truly one-of-a-kind man. We've all been enriched by the times we shared with him.

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Ann Dale

February 9, 2016

Dr. MacKenzie was a formidable mentor to many, he challenged you to be bigger and better than him, he was a loved teacher. Professor Ann Dale, Royal Roads University

Michael Alexander

February 9, 2016

I had the great pleasure to work closely with Jim on DFO's Marshall response. I will always remember his drive, his commitment and, of course, his booming voice. Those were heady days. The public environment in coastal communities across the Maritimes was tense following the Supreme Court's historic Marshall decision. Many thought our efforts were destined to fail. Some even hoped we would fail. Without Jim's tenacity, his fierce determination to do the right thing, and his unorthodox approach to negotiating with First Nation communities, it would have taken us much longer to restore peace in coastal communities than it did. Equally important, without Jim's efforts, critical economic benefits and opportunities that came from access to commercial fisheries would have come much more slowly to First Nation communities covered by the Marshall decision.

Jim had a remarkably keen intellect, a razor sharp sense of humour and an ever-present twinkle in his eyes that told you he was already ten steps ahead of everyone else in the room. I will also remember many late night telephone calls from Jim to debate strategies and tactics.

It was an honour and a privilege to work with you, Professor Gonzo. I and many others are richer for having known you, and poorer for having to say farewell to a great man.

avrim lazar

February 9, 2016

The twinkle in Dr Gonzo eye always brought a smile to my face....

Emma Dean

February 9, 2016

I will love you always and forever my amazing dad. Xo

Ian Stauffer

February 8, 2016

A very gentle and shy man. When I was at Carleton University his accent was incomprehensible. It got a bit better at Ottawa U. Law School. A most memorable fellow. Rest in peace, my friend.

Brad Morse

February 8, 2016

I am stunned by the news that Jim (Dr Gonzo) has passed on. If ever there was someone who had a zest for life & grabbed it by the throat to wring every bit out of it - then that was him.

We 1st met when he joined the law faculty at U of Ottawa. I had joined F/T in 1976 & he started teaching P/T shortly thereafter before joining us full-time, only to later go across the canal to Carleton's Dept of Law.
He was so funny, irreverent, unique & a complete character. He loved being somewhat disshevelled working in a law school so as to mask how brilliant he really was.

Later I had the pleasure to propose his appointment as the new Chief Federal Negotiator on the Labrador Inuit Land Claim to Ron Irwin, then Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs for whom I had the honour of serving as Chief of Staff. Ron readily agreed, even before meeting Jim, but the two got along great when they did meet as they shared a number of characteristics in common. Both of them looked not at the clothes or other aspects of outward appearances of people but who they really were underneath. It proved to be one of my better ideas and he loved the post.

Deirdre & I still have the watercolour he painted for our wedding in 1987.

It had been far too long since I saw you last Jimmy, but I miss you now & will look forward to seeing you again in the future. I'll raise a glass in your honour my friend.
Brad Morse

Kathi Stewart

February 8, 2016

A significant highlight in my life was to have the exceptional experience of working with Jim during the DFO federal fisheries negotiations. He was the driving force out front into introducing the Atlantic First Nation communities to commercial fisheries. He had such energy, such genuine caring, humour and firmness in his dealings with these communities. Throughout the process, Jim never gave up on gaining trust and establishing a respectful relationship with the communities. He was very successful with this. I was so very fortunate to know him and his absolutely lovely wife Sandra. I considered Jim my brother and kept in touch throughout the years. He and Sandra will always hold a special place in my heart.
"I will always hear the timber in your voice dear heart."

Gwynneth Mary Lovas

February 8, 2016

Jim started our Wills course in first year Law School by writing on the board: "Where there's a Will, there's a relative." That was 1978, and in the intervening 37 years I have never encountered anyone quite like him. His sense of humour belied his brilliance, and both were always free of any pretension. The world is a far better place for Jim having been here for 75 years. My very deepest condolences to Jim's family. May the time you each had with him continue to enrich your lives.

Gwynneth Mary Lovas (Class of '80)

February 8, 2016

I was the chief negotiator for the Labrador Inuit Land Claim. I will never forget Jim and his ability to bring tough issues to consensus. With Jim's help and determination we created the Nunatsiavut Government.I built a relationship of trust and respect for Jim that will always remain with me. Yes, Jim loved hard, laughed hard ,drank hard but was so hard not to love and respect him. May he rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family especially Sandra whom we met on a couple of occasions. Kindest Regards Sandra and may God bless and comfort you in your time of grief and sorrow. Toby Andersen , Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, Labrador.

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Funeral Services Provided By

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry - Central Chapel

315 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1A2