Donald "DJ" Anthony MacKenzie

Donald A. MacKenzie

North Sydney

It is with peace, love and sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Donnie "DJ” MacKenzie, age 80, longtime resident of Stanley Street, North Sydney, on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the Northside General Hospital.

Born in North Sydney on October 10, 1941, he was the son of the late Donald James and Elizabeth Ann (MacInnis) MacKenzie.  He worked as a steward aboard the Marine Atlantic vessels for 30 plus years until his retirement in 1993.  He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, North Sydney and an honorary 3rd degree member of the Fr. William Kiely Council, Knights of Columbus.  He was very active going for his daily walks around town waving to everyone along the way with people often referring to him as “Duckie” always spreading sweetness around. 

Uncle Donnie was always smiling and was very honest, too honest at times telling the candid truth when we didn't want to hear it. But his charm and sweet demeanor always let him get away with it.  He would often be heard saying "carry on" as he was a cut to the chase kind of person.

He loved the water and especially spending time at Groves Point Beach with his retirement buddies.  Uncle Donnie remained single all his life and never had any children as living independently was how he liked it. He always enjoyed a home cooked meal.  He was joyful and seemed so innocent but didn’t miss a trick and had morals and standards that were often hard to measure up to.  In his earlier years he enjoyed going to the North Sydney Forum to watch hockey and wrestling.  He was very close to his brother Frank and his wife Shirley and enjoyed Sunday dinners at their home and trips to Boston to visit his brother John.  He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

He is survived by his nieces Mary Sharlene MacKenzie, Edmonton, Elizabeth (Jason) Hodder, Howie Centre, nephew Philip (Francine Cusack) MacKenzie, Fall River, his sister-in-law Emily (Bill) Dooley, grand-nephews Daniel & David MacKenzie, Fall River, his close friends Mary Steele, Boston and John Steele, Halifax, special neighbors Leo Campbell and George Herridge, close friends Alec Russell and his crew.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Pauline, brothers John and Frank (Shirley) MacKenzie.

Thank you to Dr. Eugene Ignacio, the nurses at 2west at the Northside General Hospital especially Kathleen Dooley.

A funeral service for family and friends will be held for Donnie at 11:00 a.m. on Friday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney with Deacon David Lewis officiating.  Covid restrictions will be in place with proof of vaccination, photo ID, wearing of masks and social distancing. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney at a later date.  Memorial donations may be made to the War Amps.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com.

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