Donald George McKenzie passed away peacefully on August 11, 2017 at the Flin Flon General Hospital with his loved ones at his side.
Don was born on August 13, 1942 at Beaver Lake (Denare Beach), Sask. to Angus and Ida McKenzie. He was the third of six children. He grew up at Beaver Lake, attending the “Little Red Schoolhouse” until he completed Grade 8. He took his Grade 9 at a boarding school in Sturgis, Sask. and his Grade 10 at Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask. He then completed high school in Flin Flon at Hapnot Collegiate.
After high school Don was hired by HBM&S where he worked on the track gang for three years.
Soon after Don and Gail were married, he transferred underground to work on the diamond drills. He also worked at a potash mine near Saskatoon before returning to HBM&S. When Gail finished high school, she attended Brandon University for Teacher’s College. Don worked at Gulf Oil Refinery. When Gail graduated and began teaching, Don attended the Community College to study social work, graduating in 1968.
Don accepted a position with Social Services in Flin Flon. He later transferred to Child and Family Services. In the early years he upgraded his education to earn a degree in Social Work by attending classes at Intersessions and summer schools over a number of years.
Once Don started work at Social Services he became known as “Mac”. Over his career Mac worked hard for his clients and always went the extra mile for them. Mac covered Sherridon for over 30 years and was deeply touched when two intercepting streets were named “Donald” and “McKenzie”.
Upon his retirement Mac had worked for over 35 year in Child and Family Services. His colleagues, George Chigol and Don Nisbet, said that what stood out about Mac was that he was a kind and caring man, a trustworthy guy who did the right thing, with never an unkind word.
After his retirement Don threw himself wholeheartedly into working with the Flin Flon Friendship Centre and the Manitoba Metis Federation. He served on the Friendship Centre board from 2004 until his passing. He was President from 2008 until August 11, 2017. He was on the Manitoba Metis Federation Advisory Committee since 2005. Don took these roles very seriously and was very proud of his Metis heritage.
Don loved country music and every Saturday morning would find Don listening to his favourite radio program, “The Metis Hour Times 2” on NCI.
Don loved fishing with family and friends. He spent countless happy hours at our cabin tending his garden. He took great delight in sharing his rhubarb, raspberries and vegetables with his friends. His flowers were beautiful and graced the window boxes.
Don is survived by his beloved wife Gail, son Patrick
(Karen), granddaughters Ashley, Amber and Olivia, sister Maraline (Jerry) Hill, brother Les, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Don was devoted to his family. He was a true gentleman, treating one and all with respect. Once you were his friend, it was for life.
We are so grateful that Don was ours.
He will be forever loved and always missed.
Gail, Pat, Karen, Ashley, Amber and Olivia
Thank You
Words cannot express our heartfelt thanks to those who helped make Don’s Celebration of Life so beautiful.
Thank you to Father Paul for his words of comfort at our most difficult time and his awesome message about Don.
Our thanks to Mark Kolt and the choir for the beautiful music.
Ann Ross – your Memories of Don was wonderful. Thank you so much.
Thanks to Shelly Craig and Sheena Reed for attending the register.
Thanks to Darren Romo and Dave Pickell for ushering.
Many thanks to the United Church Women and the North Star Rebekahs for the delicious lunch following the service.
To my Rebekah Sisters, many thanks for the lovely supper you prepared for our family.
To the ER doctors and nurses who cared for Don, we thank you. Special thanks to Dr. Alkana and the nurses and staff on the third floor who gave Don such excellent care during his illness. Their care and compassion was a great comfort to us.
To all who sent flowers, food, cards, online condolences, hugs and words of comfort, you made a difficult time so much easier for us all, many thanks.
To Dana, Darren and Rhonda, words cannot express our gratefulness for your professionalism, comfort and caring. You were like an anchor when I was lost at sea. All I can say is, “Thank you.”
Thank you and God Bless You All.
Gail, Pal, Karen, Ashley, Amber and Olivia

Donald George McKenzie was born August 13, 1942 at Beaver Lake, Sask. to Angus and Ida McKenzie. He was the third of six children. He grew up at Beaver Lake, attending the Little Red School House until he completed grade 8. His mother sent him to boarding school in Sturgis, Sask. for grade 9 and he attended grade 10 at Notre Dame in Wilcox, Sask. He then returned home and completed high school at Hapnot.
After high school he was hired by HBM&S where he worked on the track gang for 3 years.
Don loved records, especially country music. He used to haunt Thompson's Record Shop on Main St. looking for records. One day there was a certain Gail Reesor there. They met, fell in love, and married in 1962.
Don transferred underground to diamond drill for a couple of years. Then he and Gail moved to Saskatoon where he was employed at the potash mine. The air quality at the mine was troublesome for Don so they moved back home, where Don returned to the company while Gail finished school. Gail then went to Brandon to teacher's college. Although the plan was for Don to continue working for the company while Gail completed her education, he was lonely an followed Gail to Brandon where he worked to the Gulf Oil Refinery. After Gail graduated in 1967,she began her teaching career and Don went to the community college to study social work, graduating in 1968.
Don accepted a job with Social Services in Flin Flon and he and Gail came home. He soon transferred to Child and Family Services. In the early years, Don upgraded his education to a degree in Social Work by attending intercessions and summer school over a number of years.
Once he started at Child and Family Services, Don became "Mac". Harry Gummerson was "Gummy", Don Nisbet was "Nezzy", George Chigol was "Chigs", Larry Scully was "Sculls", John Scott was "Scotty". I'm proud to say that I became "Roscoe"! There may not have been a lot of imagination to these nicknames but there certainly was a lot of affection!
When Don and Gail took up residence at the Flin Flon Trailer Court, their neighbor two doors down was one Harold Romo. This was the beginning of a friendship that lasted 42 years. Don and Harold could sit together for hours with nary a word between them. Then both would comment on what a great visit they'd had together!
In 1971 Pat was born. From the moment Don knew he was to be a father, he called the child "Paddy". There was no doubt in his mind that he was having a son. An he was right! He now had another person to share one of his passions with- fishing! Don was an avid fisherman, winter and summer. And he enjoyed it in the company of his father-in-law, Harold Reesor; his friends, Harold Romo and Larry Scully; his son, Pat; as well as other friends; and of course, Fluffy, his dog.
Don also love gardening. He learned to grow begonias from his father-in-law. And he kept a huge garden. He took great pleasure in sharing his raspberries and rhubarb with his friends.
Don loved being at his cabin, which was built by his father-in-law. He spent many happy hours there.
Pat married Karen Benson in 1998. Although Don had been acquainted with Karen's father, Lyle, this was the beginning of a solid friendship.
Don was devoted to his family. Nothing was too small or too large for him to do for them. They were his priority in life, first, Gail, then Pat, then Karen. But when those granddaughters came along, Ashley in 2000, Amber in 2004, and Olivia in 2008, Don was smitten. They had him totally wrapped around their little fingers.
Over his career, Don worked hard for his clients. Their hurts were his hurts and their successes filled him with joy. And people knew it. Don covered Sherridon for over 30 years. A while back, when Sherridon was naming their streets, two intercepting streets became "Donald" and "McKenzie". Sheen Reed took over Sherridon after Don retired. When people would ask to meet with a social worker and Sheen showed up, they would ask where Don was. She'd tell them he'd retired and they would say "Never mind". Evidently only Don could solve problems.
On retirement, Don had worked for over 35 years in Child and Family Services. This is overwhelmingly significant when you consider that the average longevity for a social worker in Child and Family Services in 3 years. It's hard work on many fronts. In speaking with his colleagues, George and Don, (or Chigs and Nezzy!), what stood out about Don was that he was a kind and caring man, a trustworthy guy who did the right thing, with never an unkind word.
Don was proud of his Metis heritage, That pride blossomed when Pat took up his grandfather, Angus McKenzie's fiddle and began to play. In 2004 Don took a position on the board at the Flin Flon Friendship Center. He became president in 2008 until this year. He was on the Manitoba Metis Federation's advisory council since 2005. And was their representative at the local Northern Mining Academy. Don took these roles very seriously and diligent and conscientious. He loved attending the regional meetings and the Annual General Meetings. To Don, a commitment was a commitment. Even as his health failed, he attended meetings and performed his duties to the best of his ability.
Don was a true gentleman, treating one and all with respect. he was kind and shy. Once you were his friend, it was for life. I'm certainly proud that he was mine.
Don will be missed.

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