Obituary of Dr. James Mackenzie

MACKENZIE, Dr. James (Jim) Robertson – At Bluewater Health – Mitton Site on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the age of 79. Beloved husband of 52 years to Alda (nee Narfason). Dear father of Liz (Jerry), Rob (Lisa), Edith (Pat), and Peggy (Jeff) and a second father to Maria Stanborough. Loving grandfather to Terilyn, Cathleen, Nathan, Alexander, Nicholas, Amelia, Olivia, Robert, Joey, Denise, Ian and Julia. Loving brother to Jill Edgett (Tom). Brother-in-law of Garry (Jim), Emma, Oli (Marj), Dilla, Olan (Paul). Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins by the dozens. Brilliant, funny, passionate, opinionated, and loving, Jim lived life large (with fewer regrets than perhaps he should have, so he said). His near-zealous tenacity for defending the disadvantaged is legendary. A general surgeon who specialized in trauma, he helped to revolutionize emergency care in Ontario and across North America. He was a committed researcher and his efforts led to seatbelt legislation in Ontario and Michigan. Born in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1930, he moved to Hamilton with his family in 1946. He graduated from medical school at McGill University and worked at many academic teaching hospitals: University of Vermont, McMaster University, and the University of Michigan. In 1968 Jim was part of a group that travelled to Vietnam for four months to volunteer in civilian hospitals. In his retirement years, Jim worked with the Navajo delivering health care in Kayenta, AZ, and worked up until a month before his death at the Occupational Health Clinics of Ontario Workers (Sarnia) fighting for the rights of persons with asbestos-related illnesses. An activist, Jim was a founding member of the Sarnia Community Foundation, a board member of the Sarnia General Hospital, a member of the Liberal Party, keeper of the Alexander Mackenzie (1st Liberal Prime Minister of Canada) legacy, and a tireless supporter of the Huron House Boys Home. He was also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Visitation at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 N. Christina St., Sarnia on Friday November 27 from 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 28 at 1 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, officiated by the Rev. Raymond Hodgson. Interment in Lakeview Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Huron House Boys Home, P.O. Box 260, Bright’s Grove, N0N 1C0. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Dr. James Mackenzie in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.