Tribute Wall
In Memory of
George Thomas MacKenzie
1948 - 2024
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Tom McCutcheon posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
That was very sad news to hear for me as well as countless other former students of Mr MacKenzie. There is definitely some regret as well because I was hoping to make contact with him to see if he would ever want to get together with a bunch of former students to touch base and so we could let him know what a difference he made with all of us. I had it narrowed down to three George MacKenzie's in the Truro area.
I thought it might be nice to share some thoughts from myself and friends on a text exchange we had upon hearing of Mr McKenzie’s passing. Keep in mind that this is a group of around 13 men in their mid to late 50s, so it was more than 40 years ago that he taught us and much of these thoughts are fresh in our minds and have happily been replayed in conversations for decades. You would have been surprised about how many conversations have happened about his teaching by so many people. I hope he knew this or at least felt it. All went on to play high school sports. Most played university varsity sports. Many ended up being teachers and almost all have coached as well. He was such a huge influence for us in those formative years.
Upon hearing of his passing:
“Super sad. A true legend”
- “Yes still tell stories about his classes.”
“My first life coach. Great guy.”
“This is very sad. He had such an influence on our young minds. I still use some of his one liners in my classes. RIP Mr. MacKenzie.”
“Well put. He was that.”
“Legitimately sad right now.”
“Big influence on many including myself, as I text this riding my exercise bike.”
“I meant to ask one of you guys if anyone had seen him in a while. Damn he was amazing.”
“Sad news. He was a legend.”
“Sad news for sure.”
School recollections (get ready for some of these):
“I still recall him making us sit in squads.”
“There is not a teacher on this chat group who didn’t steal his material.”
“I remember ‘Gentlemen, being an athlete takes sacrifice, discipline, focus. It's not driving around in a convertible, combing your hair in the mirror with a box of trophies in the back seat!’”
“When he would see Mr. Towner and Mr. Reid - “Hey look it’s Butch and Dusty the gold dust twins!””
“The joke I remember was when a guy took a shot below the belt. He'd say he's a landowner… he's got two acres.”
“When somebody would fart and he would say “Speak again o toothless wonder.” Or if he was in a bit of a crabby mood he would say something like “Ricky go to the bathroom and talk to the toilet.””
“I would love it when he would put the blame on somebody and say something like “I don't want to say any names but his initials are Rob Adams.”
- “Yup. I’ve used that a million times in school.
““There is McCutcheon sitting there with an S on his forehead. Yeah, quite the Superstar…staying up late at night watching topless women in French movies while Dave Hill is in bed after a long night of homework and studying.” - He lived in real time. Life lessons.”
“Fairweather athletes.”
“The jingling of the keys in his pocket or the finger snap and fist to the palm when was about to lay into someone.”
One class he did this snap, snap, pop thing with his hands... never spoke a word... just stared up and down the squad rows on the floor. He did it for about 20 minutes.
“His whistle.”
“It is sad but I sit here marking papers and reading your texts and I cannot help but smile and remember him and his influence.”
- “Funny I do the snap snap slap thing on hall duty.”
“I will have a brick tied to a string hanging out my bedroom window tonight in remembrance.” (In health class he used to address concerns over penis length and said that you can tie a brick to it and hang it out of your window while you sleep. And then he said of course that is ridiculous and that for its biological purpose length does not matter. “But I wonder if I drive around the neighbourhood tonight how many bricks I will see?”)
“He was able to take those awkward health subjects and make it OK to discuss. He started one class by walking the length of the board and drawing a long object and then he said, “This is the average size of a human penis. <Jaws dropped.> If you take mine into account.” The whole class burst out laughing. At that point, the Principal walked by and heard the laughter and knocked on the door to see what was so funny. He then saw the drawing on the board and asked what that was. Without missing a beat Mr. MacKenzie said “That’s a tank.” Mr. Perry looked at the class and everyone just nodded in agreement. Mr. Perry left with a confused look on his face and we all cracked up when the door closed. To this day that whole room knows what the “Penis Tank” is.”
“When he would do sperm and the egg diagrams and draw a smiley face on the sperm and name him Hermey Spermey.”
“Standing around in class with both hands inside the top of his pants/shorts keeping warm.”
“I can’t wave a magic wand and make you an athlete.”
- “The magic wand…classic.
- Pronounced “ath-a-lete.”
“Stock in Halls Cough Drops and Bauer sneakers plummeted overnight.”
"Hustle...pronouncing the T."
“Touch four walls and go to your squads.”
“Bunch of sleaze bag reprobates.”
“Gary, you can remember every word to a 7 minute song yet you can't remember to bring your shorts to Phys Ed class.” (Rapper’s Delight)
“He was very good with my sister at a difficult point in her young life. He was very aware and attentive to her situation, and I will never forget that he even went to Ms.Chambers and said that she needed to deal with the situation or he would. He was a very good guy. Empathetic as I think it says in his obituary.” (Note: classes were separated into male/female, so he would not have taught the girls.)
“To the principal - “Carl I would say that is an amazing tie you have on today.””
- “He rode Carl.”
“I marvel at all of the sports he taught us to play and the fun of intramurals at lunch time and him coaching the volleyball team and track. Really loved those years.”
- “He was pretty awesome.”
“I tripped and hit my head on the brick wall in gym and I remember laying on the floor with Mr. MacKenzie over me. I told him I needed to get up and get to my squad or we will lose points, and he held up a fist and said “If you get up I will give you another black eye!”
“One time in Mr Fougere’s class he was down chatting and Dean Squires was mouthing off and trash talking Mr Mackenzie and Mr McKenzie looked at Mr Fougere and asked if the coast was clear. He looked down the hallway and gave a nod, and Mr Mackenzie laid out Dean with a full shoulder in the belly football tackle. Desks went everywhere. I might have been the only other person in the class at that time. We were all laughing so much at that.”
“If you handed in an assignment with the corner ripped off from a staple, he would draw an arrow to it and write “Shark?””
“I got an assignment back covered with drawings of flowers on it. When I asked why there were flowers on my paper, he said it was because it was full of fertilizer.”
He held us accountable, made it fun, and cared for us. We dearly thank him for that and for his wife and children to have shared him with us.
And the one great scorer will see how he played the game.
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Glenda Bennett posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Barb
I am sorry to hear of the passing of George.
My sincere condolences to you and your boys and all the family.
Barb I am so sorry that you will not have George by your side as you continue life's journey.
Praying for comfort and strength for you all in the days ahead.
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Wanda and Bruce MacInnes posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Dear Barb and family. I was so sorry to see that George has passed away. I remember you both in the late 60's when we were all starting our adult lives and finding our soul mates. I know George was definitely yours Barb and such a beautiful couple you made. Our sincere condolences. Wanda and Bruce MacInnes
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Janet O’Brien posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
My sincere condolences to Barb and family at this very difficult time. Love and Prayers
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John David West lit a candle
Saturday, November 23, 2024
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Hi Barb &Bill and Bob !
We have been thinking of you guys for weeks . When dad passed away a friend wrote a not to our family that said
" He is not gone,just away ".
Hope that makes you feel a little better.
Shirley & David
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Ted & Sandra (Hines) Parker posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Condolences to the Mackenzie and West families.
Ted and Sandra (Hines) Parker
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Gordon Beattie posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Mr. MacKenzie taught me Juniour High Phys Ed and Health. He left a lasting memory to many who he taught at Major Stevens JH. He had a very big influence on many. Those of us that went into teaching still use many of his one line comments in our teaching. He was one of the best teachers I ever had. My condolences to his family. Rest in Peace Mr. MacKenzie and thanks for the great memories.
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Tom Cross posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
To Barb & Family,
So very surprised and sorry to hear of George’s passing. He truly was an exceptionally kind and wonderful person. I’m sure I played hundreds of rounds of golf with George over the years, and I enjoyed every one! My wife Linda recalls working with George and remembers his wonderful relationship with her primary children. He will be missed by many.
Our heartfelt condolences,
Tom Cross & Linda Levangie
“Heaven is just a conversation away”. ~
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Nancy Boyne posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Dear Barbara and family
I am so sorry to hear about George. We have lost touch over the years,but I still have great memories of our childhood visits as families. hanging out together,mostly for Sunday "tea" and at XMAS at each others' homes. He was always so much fun to be with.
Sincerely
Nancy Myers Boyne - cousin.
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michael Currie posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Barb and family , so very sorry to hear of George's recent passing... So many memories !!! One of Dartmouth 's best athletes ever !! One memory stands out.... As juniors, George's father , Bill drove us to Brightwood on his way to work .. we would caddy a round and then play a round !! And my father would pick us up on his way home from work ... We had such great times as juniors !! RIP.
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Alex Joseph posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
To Barb and family. I was sad to read the passing of George. My deepest condolences to the family. I can still recall back in 1975 when George and Archie MacDonald teamed up to win the first Moonlighter Invitional played at Brightwood. We called him the Iron Man because he played the game of golf hitting most of his shots with an iron. RIP Iron Man.
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Randy Brennan posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2024
I worked with George at the Digby Pines Resort in the late 60s. He was a great guy then with a big heart and lots of humour and it sounds like that continued throughout his life.
RIP George
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Paul and Joan posted a condolence
Friday, November 22, 2024
Two sister, Barb, Bobby and Billy and all the grandkids so sorry to hear about George’s passing he will always be remembered
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Donna Mackenzie MacDonald posted a condolence
Friday, November 22, 2024
RIP my brother.
Remembering only the fun times of our early days.
Holidays, birthdays, Sunday dinners.
Hot dog bbq’s in our parent’s backyard.
Banook.
Mum’s egg salad sandwiches every Natal Day!
Shared birthday cakes.
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The family of George Thomas MacKenzie uploaded a photo
Thursday, November 21, 2024
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The family of George Thomas MacKenzie uploaded a photo
Thursday, November 21, 2024
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