US Army veteran
MELROSE — Robert Edwin MacKenzie, a lifelong resident of Melrose died peacefully at home on October 20. He was 97.
Robert “Bob” was born on March 11, 1928 to John Henry MacKenzie and Margaret (Gillis) MacKenzie. He was brother to his beloved sister Marilyn (MacKenzie) Schnurr and they spent their childhood living on Harvard St. in Melrose. Bob’s love and connection to Newfound Lake in NH began early in life. At the end of every school year, Bob, Marilyn and his mother would pack up and head to Merrill’s Campground for the summer. His father would join the family every weekend. It was a magical place,where he spent most of his time outdoors, swimming and waterskiing.
After graduating Melrose High School, he served time in the US Army. He then went to Chicago for a brief time working at the Ford Motor Plant. After returning to the area, Bob followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle and became an elevator mechanic. “Mack” was a proud member of the IUEC Local 4 and spent the majority of his 34 year career with Otis Elevator.
Bob loved to ski and was a longtime member of the Melrose Hickory Hawks Ski Club. It was at the club that he developed life-long friendships and also met the love of his life Patricia “Pat” Brady. The two met at a summer party in Rockport and were married not too long after on June 4, 1960.
Bob and Pat eventually settled in Melrose to raise their two children Holly and Jon. They bought a house in Bristol, NH on the side of Newfound Lake from Merrill’s Campground. The family was in NH every weekend, spending summers on the lake and winters skiing at Tenney Mountain where they had annual ski passes.
Bob and Pat had a wonderful life together. They had a fun and amazing group of friends who they loved to spend time with, traveling and skiing. They were terrific dancers and at any event you would always find them on the dance floor.
Family and friends were everything to Bob. His kindness and compassion were felt by all including animals. He was always the favorite to the family pets and foster animals from the Melrose Humane Society.
Bob was a caregiver to many. He took care of his father John, allowing him to live at his home in Melrose until his death. He was Pat’s rock as she bravely fought her twelve year battle with breast cancer until her death in 2006. He was a devoted father and grandfather. His four granddaughters were his pride and joy.
His son Jon was his main caregiver the last few years of his life and allowed him to be where he wanted most, home. He left this world peacefully in his sleep. He lived a life full of love and happiness. He will be missed by all.
He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years Patricia and his sister Marilyn. He is survived by his daughter Holly MacKenzie of Vineyard Haven; his son Jon MacKenzie of Melrose; his four granddaughters Alison MacKenzie, Mary Ollen, Annie Ollen and Julia MacKenzie; and his many nieces and nephews and their families.
There will be a graveside service at Wyoming Cemetery on November 14 at 11 a.m. Visit gatelyfh.com.