William "Bill" Hartley MacKenzie

It is with great sorrow that the family of Bill MacKenzie announces his passing in Ottawa, Ontario, on June 22nd, 2020 at the age of 97. He was an extraordinary man who left us during an exceptionally difficult period in time.

Leaving to grieve are his wife Ina MacKenzie (née d’Entremont), brother Ken MacKenzie (Pearl), sister-in-law Yvonne Mombourquette, Bill’s children Ken MacKenzie (partner Bonnie St Julien) (former wife Janet Craig), Robert MacKenzie (partner Maria Legault), Anne Rowlatt (Mike Vlasic), step children Christopher Mullington (Kathryn Radford), Dr. Janet Mullington (Hans Meier-Ewert MD), Kevin Mullington (Janet King), grandchildren Natasha MacKenzie, Heather MacKenzie MD, Maya MacKenzie, Aaron Rowlatt (Janelle), step grandchildren Chloe and Olivia Mullington, Emma and Karl Meier-Ewert-Mullington, Jackson and Connor Mullington, Graeme Vlasic (Vickie), great grandchildren Ava and Brooklyn MacKenzie-Platthy, Abigail Rowlatt and James ‘Jamie’ Rowlatt who entered this world the same day as Bill’s parting. Predeceased by his father William MacKenzie, mother Annie (née Mulcahy), sisters Marie and Irene Mackenzie, brother Edgar MacKenzie and Bill’s beloved first wife Theresa (née Mombourquette).

Born in Halifax Nova Scotia, where Bill was known as Hartley and fondly remembered for his many shenanigans. He moved to Ottawa with his family in 1957. He had an abundance of lifelong friends many of whom he met while serving in the RCAF during WWII, as a reservist with both the Halifax Rifles and the IV Princess Louise Dragoon Guards Ottawa, achieving the rank of Major and during his long career at National Defence as a civilian officer in procurement. They certainly knew how to party. 

Bill possessed a mischievous smile and loved to laugh. Blessed with a wonderful sense of humour and was quite the ‘silent prankster’. He enjoyed telling stories arising from his many experiences which were just as interesting and as funny no matter how many times he gleefully re-told them. Known to honour his Scottish heritage with a nightly ‘wee dram’ of Scotch whisky and have an undeniable sweet tooth. Bill liked tinkering with his cars and kept them spotless. His lawn was the envy of the neighbourhood. Ask his children who were recruited to pull the weeds.

He was a very proud, kind and sensitive man. Soft spoken, never boastful nor sought attention, who would not suffer fools, and was not afraid to speak his mind when he encountered injustices. Never one to believe in the idiom “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” Bill learned how to play golf and use a computer in his 60s. During his retirement Bill and his loving wife Ina spent winters in Florida and travelled the world, further enriching both of their lives.

Bill lived a long fulfilling life. He was much loved by his blended family and he will leave a lasting impression on all those who knew him.