Malcolm MacKENZIE

MacKENZIE _ Malcolm "Mac" James Malcolm "Mac" James MacKenzie, born December 25, 1932, passed away peacefully at home north of Cochrane on Saturday, June 22, 2002. Malcolm is survived by his loving wife Judy of thirty-one years; son Casey; daughter Annie and husband Ron; grandchildren, Tayla and Kael; brother Angus MacKenzie and wife Jean of Cochrane, brother Alex MacKenzie and wife Gloria of High River, brother Ian MacKenzie and wife Norma of Calgary; and sister Christina Grimstead and husband John of Sundre; brother and sisters-in-law, Doug and Jill Richards of Cochrane, and Lindsay and Joy Eklund of Cochrane; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by father Norman in 1977, mother Lulu in 1999 and nephew Jay Grimstead in 1979. Malcolm James "Mac" MacKenzie was born and raised on a farm in the foothills near Cochrane, Alberta on Christmas Day, 1932. He received his early education at Glendale School, a one-room, grades one to nine country school, attending Cochrane High School for grade ten. After leaving school, he worked for several ranches in the High River and Longview areas south of Calgary. Some of these ranches include the "D", "Riverbend", "OH" and "TL". He spent over twenty years guiding and outfitting in Banff National Park, starting Warner & MacKenzie Guiding & Outfitting Ltd. In 1971 he married his wife Judy Harries and they began their own cattle ranch and western art gallery north of Cochrane. In 1972 his son Casey was born and daughter Annie followed in 1976. Mac was a self-taught artist, widely known for his beautiful, detailed bronzes and paintings. A true son of the Canadian West, he created well over one hundred sculptures, concentrating on the Cowboy and Wildlife themes. Probably Mac's best-known and certainly his largest sculpture is the twelve foot bronze statue depicting an old-time cowboy and his horse. The "Men of Vision" statue stands on a bluff overlooking the original Cochrane Ranche site. It aptly represents Alberta's pioneer ranching heritage and has been fondly adopted by Cochrane and area residents as their own. Mac was well-respected and a valuable member of the Cochrane community and was instrumental in supporting the dream of the Western Heritage Center and what it stood for. Mac (Papa) loved his family, especially his two precious grandchildren. He was a kind and generous man who was loved by all who knew him. He valued his friends and enjoyed many "Bull's Trips" to the mountains in the fall. His sense of humor, limericks and Scotch thriftiness were legendary. Mac died as he lived, quietly, gently and privately. We will miss him. Happy Trails. If friends so desire, memorial tributes can be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 4J8) or the Spray Lakes family sports complex in Cochrane. Special thanks to Drs. Steve Watson, Sirag Husain and Peter Forsyth, Dr. Wong, nurses and staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and Foothills Hospital. Cochrane Home Care was wonderful, and you all have the family's thanks. An outdoor Service in celebration of Mac's life will be held at the Cochrane Ranche Provincial Historic Site (lower south end) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. Please bring a lawn chair. Interment, Cochrane Cemetery, Cochrane, Alberta. Arrangements in care of Lawrence (Larry) Slywka and Dennis Anaka of SLYWKA'S - COCHRANE COUNTRY FUNERAL HOME of Cochrane, Alberta. Telephone: 1-403-932-1039. 207417