Harold L MacKay
October 18th, 2015
A wonderfully remarkable man left us on Sunday, October 18, 2015. He continues to be loved and will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Joyce; his sons, Gordon (Page) and Jim (Tracy); grandchildren, Madeleine, Alexander, Matthew and William; and a host of friends and family across Canada.
His was a life filled with spiritual endeavors through the United Church of Canada, a tremendous career in residential real estate, old cars, new cars, cottage life in Shuswap, Bowser and Rosseau, a self-published autobiography at age 80, European travel with Joyce, lunches at the RVYC, and a genuine interest in everyone he met.
Many thanks for the incredible care provided to him at both the South Granville Park Lodge and, finally, at the ICU at VGH.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, November 2nd at Shaughnessy Heights United Church at 1:00 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
Dear Joyce: I was so saddened to hear from Jamie of Harold's death. I must admit I was taken aback when I saw you both at the BMO parking lot last year and again at Tapestry this year. I hadn't realized till then that he was failing. We have had such a long association with you both. As Knox Road neighbours, the friendship between our boys, University Hill School, the ecumenical times of our UBC Churches, RVYC and the camaraderie between Peter and Harold. Life takes us on wonderful paths and then it ends, so suddenly, it seems. Harold will be missed and you will be lonely. Life goes on, differently, however, we remember our good times. I believe I will be away for Harold’s Service on Monday but hopefully we can see one another soon. Barbara Gordon, Vancouver, B.C.
Hello to Joyce, Jim and family - We learned with sadness of Harold's death and wish you all as much comfort as is possible in these difficult next few weeks and months. We both enjoyed our times together with you and especially remember the Christmas songs of celebration and later Keith joining Harold for the singing of The Messiah. Take care. Pat and Keith
Joyce and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Hal was warm, direct, helpful and had a sense of humour. We first met in Spring 1975. Jim had just been called to teach at VST and we needed a place to live -- our first venture into owning a home. Hal found us a perfect house within walking distance of schools and shops, and what's more, fit our budget. He walked us through the confusing maze of forms and contracts. To top it off, you lent us your cottage on Shuswap for a week! A great introduction to the Okanagan! Your generosity made us feel welcomed to Canada.
Dear Joyce - I was so saddened to learn of "Uncle" Harold's death this past week. I have such fond memories of you both, but particularly the important and comforting role he played at Dad's funeral 25 years ago. I know that he and Dad were so important to one another - I think they had the same twinkle in their eyes, and the same tendency to get into mischief!! My own memory of Harold is of a kind, gentle, softspoken and compassionate man - I am sure he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family at this very sad time.
Dear Joyce and family. We wish to express our deepest heartfelt sympathy for you at Harold's Passing. There are not enough true blue Cape Breton Heelanders left,zs28kr to keep the World on the strait and narrow Path to the Future
Hello Joyce, we are so sorry to hear about your loss, we were wondering why you didn't make it to Windermere United Church this summer. He was a wonderful man and was very much loved by Evergreen Pastoral Charge Congregations. I will never forget the Easter service he did in our home at Forest Rock Camp. We pray God will comfort you and the family at this time.
I read of Harold's passing in the Van.Sun and it brought back some good memories when my husband was studying at Union College and I worked on Friday mornings in the office at University Hill UC. Before we left UBC in 1967 you and Harold had us over for a lovely lamb dinner. Harold was such a support to us as students. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Blessings from Lorraine and Dorne Cornish
Dear Joyce - My thoughts and prayers have been with you these last weeks, since Gordon How informed me of Harold's health issues.You will have been through a hard road as I well know but families and friends are wonderful comfort at times like this. Val and I certainly have had a long history with you and Harold as I think we must have arrived in Vancouver at just about the same time. We spent many evenings over coffee in our homes and at University Hill United Church. These are fond memories and I am happy that we had a chance to share a part of our lives with you both. Do take care of yourself. and your boys. Joyce Anderson
Dear Joyce: A voice from the past (Lisgar days!) but I am so sorry to read of Harold's recent passing. Hopefully in the future we can get in touch; Blessings dear Joyce at this difficult time. Dorothy (Lashley) Krueger
Dear Joyce: It was a privilege to have been your neighbour so many years ago on Knox Road, and to enjoy Harold's wry sense of humour in the garden and to try to keep up with all his different cars. Later in this building, seeing him in the pool every morning was such a pleasure. He was always so kind and outgoing towards me at the Yacht Club. And of course, he helped us with real estate transactions as well as giving excellent advice. I send you my sincere sympathy and wish you much strength and fortitude. How wonderful to have the love and support of your family. With warmest best wishes, Rosemary
Our sincere condolences. Hope to see you Nov. 2
Dear Joyce and family: Eleanor and i are saddened to read of Harold's passing in the Globe & Mail. We wish to offer our sincere condolences to you, as I imagine there has been a difficult time leading up to this. We are so pleased to have renewed acquaintances from Lisgar and CFUW. I can never forget suggesting to Harold that he could not afford the "cottage" at Lake Rosseau on a minister's pension and his truthful response. Love, John and Eleanor
Dear Joyce, I send my condolences to you and all your family. It has been quite a long time since I saw Harold but I have good memories of some times spent at your home when you and I taught together. Harold helped me when I was shopping for a new car. That had to be back in the 1980's but I remember we had a lot of fun "shopping"! I plan to attend the memorial service.
Dear Joyce, Robin and I are thinking of you at this time of your great loss. We always loved our times with Harold, and he is so much a part of our Vancouver memories and especially Shaughnessy Heights United Church. Also we shared the love of Muskoka and beautiful Lake Rosseau. His book brought us back to the fun times at Victoria College. His obituary captured his essence and we will all miss him and remember his sparkle. With love, Rosemary and Robin
My condolences to Joyce and the family. I have many happy memories of our hikes and dinners. His was a life well lived. He will be missed.
Harold was a colleague who stood at your side when life became difficult; he was also there throughout great times with his smile and warm presence : He was one who was truly "called".
Hal (as I always called him) was one of the best friends of my life. We met as students at McGill in 1954, were ordained together in 1957, saw each other as often as possible from 1957 to 1959 as young and inexperienced United Church ministers on our first pastoral charges in Manitoba (me) and Saskatchewan (Hal), and, with interludes, ever thereafter. We were different in temperament and talent - Hal had many skills that I did not possess - but similar in other ways, especially as far as our common sense of humour was concerned. I owe him a great deal and will miss him deeply.
Dear Joyce, Such a fine man and friend. When I read the Globe and Mail this morning I suddenly saw Harold's smiling face. Wonderful memories of our times to gether, came flooding back to me, bridesmaid at your wedding, visiting you at your first church, trips to gether , happy times at your Lake Rosseau cottage and seeing you at your 50 th anniversary. My deepest sympathy to you and your family at the loss of Harold. Love ,Moira
Just wanted to express my condolences to Joyce, Gordon Jim and families. Uncle Harold was a great guy, interested in others and always ready with a humorous joke. Its times like these that I wish we lived in a smaller country where distance and space was not such an obstacle. Sincerely, scott
Dear Joyce and family; Sending our sympathetic thoughts and prayers your way as you grieve Harold's passing. We have fond memories of your time with the Windermere (now Evergreen) Charge---The special times---Easter celebrations at Forest Rock, the progressive dinner (at the Suttons, the Coulters and your summer home) following one of the wonderfull summer concerts at the church. May God bless you with peace and comfort as you reflect on Harold's full life. Sincerely, Bill and Maureen