James William MACKAY

MACKAY, James William (Jim)
born in Beaverton, Ontario on June 9, 1916, passed peacefully in his sleep on October 26, 2002 at Oakville Trafalgar Hospital. After graduating from the Ontario College of Art, Jim joined the National Film Board where he worked closely with Norman McLaren, George Dunning, Mavis Gallant and a host of others. Jim was a pioneer in the world of classic animation. In the early 60's he launched Film Design Ltd., his own animation company and in 1968, he and co-director-animator Wolf Koenig received an Academy Award nomination for their NFB sponsored animated short 'The House that Jack Built', an incisive and inspired commentary on conformity in society. Film Design was a stopping place for virtually every creative animator in the business. Today there are literally hundreds in a wide range of creative fields who owe considerable portions of their success to the support offered by Jim. As a result, there is no higher praise one can offer than that this good and kind man will live long in the hearts and minds of those of us who had the extreme good fortune to know him and benefit from his unique creativity, generosity and brilliant quirky humour. 'Never lose your inner child', said Jim - and he never did. He believed in friendship and we learned from that. He taught us peace, love, laughter, patience and forgiveness. He showed us it was okay to cry. He taught us freedom of expression. He showed us how to give. We who knew him will never be able to repay what he gave us, we can only pay it forward. The youngest of three children, brother to Grace and Ross, pre- deceased, Jim leaves his wife Helen (Billie) nee Faed, sons Sandy and Angus, and six grandchildren. Friends and loved ones are invited to celebrate Jim's life at Turtle Creek Manor, 1510 Lakeshore Road W., Mississauga, on November 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Canadian Dermatology Association Sun Awareness Program. Call 1-800-267-3376 for address.