AL MacKAY

(January 9, 1947 – January 21, 2026) The beast finally got me. But no regrets, no tears. 79 trips around the sun - it was a great ride. And while I had some professional successes, they pale beside my personal ones. I had the smarts to marry Ann McCorquodale, and the wisdom to be her life partner for 53 years. Ann put aside her professional career to be a professional stay-at-home mom with the result that we have three marvelous children. Stuart, Leslie-Ann, and Fraser who have grown to be strong, solid individuals of character. Each is very different in their own way, but with the same values of hard work, empathy, respect for every individual, the importance of family and friendship, and a great sense of humor. They are a great joy to their parents. Entry into the broadcasting world began with McMaster University radio and ended with a 40-year career in the business. In terms of career success, I had 25 great years at CJOH-TV, first in the newsroom and then in management. Working with Max Keeping, we produced a newscast which regularly attracted a quarter of a million viewers. And when Max retired, I organized a newsroom family reunion with folks coming in from around the world. If you notice the little rating symbols in the top corner of your TV set and the viewer advisories preceding some programs, that's my work as well, as broadcasters struggled to deal with the issue of violence on television in the '90s. CPAC and Canadian Policy Research Networks working with Judy Maxwell were other career stops along the way. I was fortunate enough to be involved with a number of charities and NGOs. But the work with the Vanier Institute of the Family was the most fulfilling, and I was recognized for my contributions with the Queen's Silver Jubilee medal. Another rewarding chapter was organizing five Travers Debates, which raised enough money to ensure the long-term viability of the Travers Fellowship for international reporting in memory of the outstanding journalist Jim Travers. Most recently, I chaired the Board of the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications. I always thought of myself as a pan-Canadian. My father, Dr. Lorne MacKay, was from PEI, my mother, Janet Garnier was from Vancouver, and I ended up being born in Montreal and raised in Hamilton. I've always been proud of my Scottish heritage, never more so than in tracking down the arrival of my ancestors to Canada in the early 1800's, during the time of the Highland Clearances. I leave behind with great regret my sister Beth (Jim Reilly), their three children and a passel of grandchildren. Also Blaine McCorquodale (Joan) and their two daughters. Thank you to Dr. Michael Ong and staff in the Oncology department of the General Hospital, and to our marvelous and caring neighbors. There was no formal service, cremation has already taken place, and my ashes will be taken to each coast and The Highlands. I will not be here tomorrow, but I will always be with you.