David died March 20, 2014, at the Doctor Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton NB. With his sons, wife and many family members at his side following a lengthy illness.
David was born November 8, 1952, in Campbellton NB to Robert and Isobel (Allingham) MacKenzie. When he was a teenager, the family moved to Edmundston where his father worked for Frasers Paper Company. During his early tears, David drove truck for his sister Cheryl (L.H.Chapple Ltd) out of Maugerville. After starting a family, David decided to make a career change and became a Locomotive Engineer for CNR out of Moncton where he lived for 35 years. He loved driving trains and took the opportunity to work out of Detroit at a time in his career. David was involved in CNR Safety Days for years where he had the opportunity to take young kids on the trains.
A member of the Royal Canadian Legion and Masonic Lodge, he was also involved in coaching Minor Baseball and President of the Association for several years. His pride and joy was watching his two sons Ian and Cory advance through the leagues to eventually play with the Moncton Mets. David also played ball with the CN league for several years. He loved music and reading, taking long drives in his motorhome and just getting away and taking pictures.
He always looked forward going to "The Hunting Camp with the boys" Brian, Vernon, Chris, Mike, but his passion was Salmon Fishing. Spending time at the camp on the Upsalquitch was a long time family tradition with happy and memorable times with his father and siblings.
Later years, the camp on the SE Miramichi, at Deersdale became his favorite spot, where of course he would stop the train and visit whoever was there, to check on the fishing conditions. He got such a thrill and joy watching his son’s growing passion for the same sport and even his granddaughter Abigail, at only four, catching her first salmon on the Skeena River in BC. The last few years, David would spend time at a special family friend, Keith and Sharlene Morrelle’s camp in Ludlow, near Boiestown.
Some will remember the stories about the "Street Parties" on Wright Drive and too many to mention antics that happened with certain varmints and animals on the neighborhood. Those, I hope will bring back good memories of his being with us…. He never missed a chance to teach any kid some little song or quote that he knew the parents would not approve of, his strange sense of humor. He would always be there to give a helping hand and try his best to resolve a problem for anyone. We will just plain and simply MISS HIM…keep on fishing !!!
Resting at Bishops Funeral Home 540 Woodstock Road Fredericton, where visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 from 12 noon until service time at 2 PM from the funeral home chapel. Rev Paul Thompson will officiate. Pallbearers for the service will be Keith Morrell, Keith Chapple, Alan MacKenzie, Dave Hambrook and Scott MacFarlane. For those who wish memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
