Whether it was through his successful forest products business, countless volunteer hours or dedication to family, William Russell MacKinnon set the bar for all of us.
With his passing at the age of 96 on 13 February 2022, New Brunswick has lost one of its finest citizens. Known and respected throughout the Miramichi and beyond for his honest, fair and ethical business practices, Bill possessed an unflagging level of integrity. A handshake sealed the deal with him.
“I have always been a firm believer in giving back to my community. A person has a responsibility to make their community a better place to live,” Bill said in a 2012 interview. “After all, that’s what it is all about.”
They were words to live by.
Born Oct. 26, 1925 in Newcastle, he was the son of William Robert MacKinnon and Vye. E. (Russell) MacKinnon. Growing up in Doaktown, where he spent most of his life, he went to Doaktown Superior School, Mount Allison Academy and the University of New Brunswick.
During the Second World War, Bill enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Saint John and was first posted to the training centre at the C. N. E. buildings in Toronto and later Guelph for wireless and gunner training. He took a discharge from the RCAF in November 1944 as war efforts were winding down.
After his time with the RCAF, Bill attended Fredericton Business College, and in 1946, married Audrey Robertson of Plaster Rock, beginning a seven-decade-long partnership in both their personal and working lives. In 2018, they celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary — a short time before Audrey’s sudden death, a loss that still leaves us all feeling bereft.
The forest products business formally commenced in 1949, when he and his father formed a partnership and brokered pulpwood. Following his father’s death in 1956, Bill continued to build a successful enterprise encompassing most aspects of the forestry industry from product brokerage, the purchase of stumpage, Christmas tree cultivation and land accumulation and management. This enterprise became well known for sustainable forest management practices and was a major employer on the Miramichi for many years.
Along with the forest products business he and Audrey owned, they operated Stedman’s retail store from 1962 to 1976. In 1987, his business acumen was recognized with his appointment to the Federal Business Development Bank as a director of the Atlantic Region Advisory Council.
His many business activities did not prevent him from becoming deeply involved in his community.
After the Second World War, Bill and several other servicemen helped reactivate Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23 and he was later awarded Life Member status.
While president of the Doaktown Athletic Association in its early years, Bill and friends spearheaded the founding of the Doaktown Fair in 1946.
Later, in 1960-61, he helped organize the founding of the Doaktown Curling Club serving as the first president.
He was appointed to serve as Councillor on Doaktown’s first Council when the village was incorporated in 1966.
Bill also volunteered for the Central Miramichi Historical Society, which led the restoration of the Nelson Hollow Covered Bridge, Mitchell Cemetery, the Gilks House, the Doak House Museum and the establishment of the Atlantic Salmon Museum, where he served as first president. In 1992 he and Audrey were inducted into the Museum’s Hall of Fame. Bill was also among the recipients of a Certificate of Distinction from Association Museums New Brunswick “for helping keep alive the history of the Miramichi River area.” In many of these community roles, he served as liaison between the community and the provincial government to build partnerships and secure funding.
Instrumental in bringing his beloved sport of golf to his hometown in the mid 80’s he served three terms as president the Old Mill Pond Golf Club.
In honour of his late mother, Bill established two scholarships for university-bound students graduating from Doaktown Consolidated High School.
In 2012, after a lifetime of exemplary volunteer work, Bill received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal for “outstanding service to his community.” At this event, he was reunited with several former members of the little league baseball teams he coached from 1960 to 1974.
The next year, he was awarded “Forestry Icon” status by the Central New Brunswick Woodmen’s Museum.
Bill was a Life Member of Northumberland Lodge #17 and the Miramichi Salmon Association and a member of St. Thomas United Church.
An athlete by nature, he excelled in baseball and in his latter years enjoyed curling and golf. He was an avid Salmon fisherman and a supporter of resource conservation. He was a true fan of all Toronto sport teams.
He is survived by his sons, William R. MacKinnon of Hamilton, ON, and L. Graeme MacKinnon of Hampton, NB; daughter-in-law Gail McLeod MacKinnon; granddaughters Beth Ann MacKinnon and Lynn MacKinnon; great-grandchildren Catherine, Edmund and Eleanor Brodie.
Bill is also survived by his sisters Margaret Salter and Moyra Morrison; brothers-in-law D.R. Morrison and Dale Robertson; sisters-in-law Helen Frenette, Betty Stevenson, Myrna Gunter and Cheryl Robertson.
Besides Audrey, he was predeceased by his infant daughter Melanie Beth, sister-in-law Faye LeBel and brother-in-law A.M. Salter.
Bill’s family is beyond appreciative of the loving care and attention from our dedicated dream team of personal caregivers from Home Care by Design over the past years, as well as Dr. James C. Collings, Dr. Pamela Jarrett, Dr. Heman Chow and all the great staff at Shannex, Parkland in the Valley.
Memorial donations to the Atlantic Salmon Museum or the J. Audrey (Robertson) MacKinnon Scholarship at the University of New Brunswick would be appreciated.
Burial and memorial gathering will take place in the summer. Details will be announced later.
Arrangements are in the care of Davidson’s Funeral Home, 622-7464 or online at www.davidsonsfh.com, your family-owned, family-operated Funeral Home.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Russell MacKinnon 2022..
Davidson’s Funeral Service Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Doaktown, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
Sorry to hear about Bill’s passing.Have so many fond memories of great times with Bill-as a favourite client and for many fishing and golfing trips together. One of a kind and he will be missed.