JAMES MACKIE

(May 20, 1953 – December 2, 2025) "Mountains …were made to see over, Stairs from the valleys, and steps to the sun's retreats" Earle Birney Jamie Mackie, a devoted family man and passionate outdoor enthusiast, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Born and raised in Calgary, AB, he had a deep commitment to his community. He worked hard and diligently at the businesses he founded and was a respected mentor to many. He loved being active, and his physical health was a priority. For as long as anyone can remember, he was the first one at the Glencoe Club every day at 5 a.m. for a swim or a workout, sometimes rattling the doors before they were unlocked. From his earliest days, Jamie found the most joy being outdoors. Starting as a teenager, he summited hundreds of peaks, including Mt. Assiniboine and Mt. Robson. He loved cross-country skiing and spent every winter weekend grinding out countless hours and miles on the trails in Kananaskis and the backcountry. He encouraged everyone to share his love of the sport, helping build, maintain and track trails around Bragg Creek. He was a man of few words, and could come across as distant or stoic, but those who got to know him found him to be thoughtful, funny, kind, and a truly great friend, of which he had many all around the world. While his soul belonged to the mountains, Jamie's heart belonged to his family. He met his wife Brenda at a young age, and they both felt the earth settle. They married two months later. He and Brenda recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Mexico with their three children, their spouses and nine grandchildren. Having his family adventuring alongside him was one of his great joys. He didn't like to stay on any trail, which led to many interesting experiences. Jamie didn't think that nature needed rules: "It's just around the next corner," he'd say. "It's just over the next hill" "Let's take this shortcut," and after hours of breaking new trail, covered in scrapes, the journey would end up somewhere, but he always led the way safely home. In his last days he regaled and horrified his family with some of his most death-defying adventures, escaping avalanches, midnight blizzards, and near falls. After a ten-year struggle with Parkinson's disease, Jamie died as he lived, with courage, clear conviction, and surrounded by his family and close friends. He will be sorely missed by his loving wife, Brenda; his three children, Andrew (Riva), Jeffrey (May Lynn), and Emily (Patrick); his grandchildren, Charlie, Magnolia, Dora, Peter, Henry, Owen, and Alice; and his step-grandchildren, Maya and Ella. His family deeply appreciates the unwavering support of his sister Anne, and his fishing buddy, Darcy. "We know that life can bring surprises, but at the end of the day we will come together for a hearty feast, throwing logs on the bonfire, laughing and sharing stories about our adventures, and planning for the next one." -- from Mackie Family Values A private family service was held. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Bragg Creek Trails Association, Box 422, Bragg Creek, AB T0L 0K0 (braggcreektrails.org) - in the memo, please designate "For the new Trails Centre"; or The Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1 (telephone: 403-220-2470, hbi.ucalgary.ca/donate) - in the memo line, please designate CaPRI (Calgary Parkinson Research Initiative). Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Jamie's family at www.MHFH.com. In living memory of Jamie Mackie, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.