James Alexander MacKay
1934-2019
James Alexander MacKay – 84, Brookside,
Colchester County. Jimmy died peacefully on Tuesday evening, March 26,
2019, at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro, surrounded by his
family.
Born in East River St. Mary’s to William and
Elizabeth (Chisholm) MacKay, he gave up the farm life for trade school
and became a heavy duty mechanic. He worked for Bell Bus, Trynor
Construction and Mack Martimes in Dartmouth before founding Nova
Enterprises in Truro with his brothers. Through hard work they grew a
small repair shop into Nova Truck Centres, a thriving business that
has touched the lives of many. He married the love of his life, Ruth
(Archibald), and they raised four sons, first in Dartmouth as part of
the Caldwell Road gang and then in Truro. Jimmy and Ruth were founding
members of Iona Presbyterian Church in Dartmouth.
He never had time for hobbies, but he was a closet inventor
and also enjoyed speeding, plowing snow, building the cottage and
annoying his daughters-in-law; he loved people, hated games and could
hit the cover off a baseball. He was devoted to his family and his
church, St. James Presbyterian, and would be ready to pitch in with
unlimited resources and energy to any good cause. “Uncle
Jimmy”, as he was known to his numerous relatives, could always
be counted on to set a bad example for the children, but contribute
more than his fair share. He was blessed with prosperity and lived to
help others in need.
Despite recent poor health, he never lost his sense of humour
and was always quick to tell a joke or repeat a good story; he was a
force of nature and everyone was pulled along in his wake and his
passing has left a hole in the universe that no one can
fill.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Ruth;
sister, Verna Purcell; brother, Louis; in-laws, Ray Fraser, Fred Wood,
Joe (Margie) Archibald, Clarence (Joyce) Archibald, Vera (Sterling)
Taylor, Frank Archibald, Isabel Porter, Hazel (Stewart) Gunn, Bob
(Ethel) Archibald, Muriel Taylor, Ray Archibald and Harold
Archibald.
He is survived by his sons, Stephen (Kathy), Fredericton, New
Brunswick; Michael, Toronto, Ontario; Roderick (Laura), Truro; Richard
(Marilee) Halifax; grandchildren, Colin (Amy), Halifax; Alice,
Calgary, Alberta; Neil, Thunder Bay, Ontario; Kellen, Truro; great
grandchildren, Luke and Toby; honourary daughter, Lucrezia Hernandez,
Truro; honourary grandson, Alexander (Chelsea), Halifax; sisters,
Helen Fraser, New Glasgow; Peggy Wood, Rocky Mountain; brother, Jack
(Cheryl), Truro; in-laws, Beth MacKay, Truro; Muriel Archibald,
Denver; Russell Porter, Dartmouth; Eldon Taylor, Dartmouth; Eldon
(Olive) Archibald, Denver; Marilyn Archibald,
Aylesford.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall –
Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Jimmy’s
family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2019.
Funeral service will be held 3 p.m., Sunday, March 31, 2019, at St.
James Presbyterian Church, 725 Prince Street, Truro, Reverend Andrew
Campbell officiating. Reception will follow in the church hall. Spring
interment in Bible Hill Cemetery, Warren Drive, Bible Hill. If so
desired, donations in Jimmy’s memory to St. James
Presbyterian Church, MS Society or Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia
are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family
by viewing Jimmy’s obituary on-line and selecting “Send
A Condolence” at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com.
“Say
good-night Dick”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Alexander MacKay 19342019..
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province:Nova Scotia