Dr. Hugh Niven Mackenzie

06/09/1933 - 12/07/2018

Dr. Hugh Niven Mackenzie June 9, 1933 - December 7, 2018 Hugh was born in St. Margaret's Hope, Orkney, Scotland, the eldest child of Herbert and Leila Mackenzie. He received his early education in Kirkwall, Orkney, becoming dux of the school, before continuing his studies at Aberdeen University, graduating in general medicine in 1957. After graduation, Hugh joined the Royal Navy for five years and saw the world. During this time he developed a lifelong love of travel. Upon completion of his naval service, Hugh worked in Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, where he met his wife, Helen, who was nursing there. They married in 1964 and immigrated to Canada, initially to Nipawin, Saskatchewan, where Hugh worked as a GP. Both of their sons, Malcolm and Graham, were born there. In 1969 the family moved to Vancouver, where Hugh completed his anaesthetic training before relocating to Powell River and setting up his family practice, which he ran for 30 years until his retirement in 1997. Hugh was able to combine his love of travel with his extensive medical experience by acting as a locum in rural BC and Western Australia in his retirement. Life in Powell River, with nature on the doorstep, gave Hugh opportunities to pursue outdoor adventures in his sailboat and on his skis. He continued downhill skiing on Mount Washington until his early 80s. Hugh was predeceased by his elder son Malcolm in 2011. He is survived by his wife Helen, son Graham (Erin), daughter-in-law Cindy, granddaughters Ariel and Maisy, and also by his sister Leila (Ronnie) and brother Herbert (Ingrid) and their families in Scotland. No service by Hugh's request. A celebration of life, to be announced, will be held in the spring. Any donations in Hugh's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Thanks to Dr. White and all the staff in the emergency department and fourth floor at Powell River General Hospital, Extended Care Unit, and to his many friends and colleagues who spent time with him over the past two years. "A man's a man for a' that." Sail on, Hugh.