Obituary of Allan Dale MacKay

MACKAY: Allan Dale MacKay of Brandon, passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Thursday, February 21, 2013. Born on June 21, 1919 on the family homestead near Fillmore, SK to Elizabeth (née MacLean) and David MacKay, the youngest of five children, his father died when Allan was two years old. Growing up in the prairies during the Great Depression without a father was very difficult and, after completing grade 12 at the age of 17, he left home. Hitch-hiking through Manitoba and Ontario searching for employment, he told stories of washing his socks in streams and sleeping in chicken coops. He finally ended up in Vancouver and worked in factories until he was successful in enlisting in the RCAF in 1941. He was posted to Brandon in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, where he met his future wife, Grace Goldstone, who volunteered at the Kinsmen Club canteen. He received training in Winnipeg, Ontario and Gaspe' where he flew anti-submarine surveillance as a Wireless Air Gunner. Posted overseas in 1942, he flew with the 407th Squadron as a W/O mainly out of Chivenor, England, but also out of Northern Ireland and Scotland. He patrolled the Atlantic and Bay of Biscay as a WAG on a Wellington bomber, searching for U-boats. One night his crew had to bail out in dense fog when running out of fuel with no idea where they were. He hurt his leg and when he knocked on the door of a cottage, he was met by a farmer with a shotgun. Fortunately he was in England! All of his fellow crew members survived and were the only members of the 407th to qualify for the "Caterpiller Club" referring to the silk parachutes. Returning to Canada in 1944, he was married to Grace on June 10th on the Fillmore homestead. His next posting was at Pat Bay on Vancouver Island, where he served as a Flying Officer in a Lockheed Ventura, flying anti-submarine missions on the West Coast. He was one of only a few airmen with both Atlantic and Pacific star medals. He also had instructor responsibilities at Pat Bay. On April 21, 1945 their only child, Judith Anne, was born in Victoria. Allan always cherished and doted on his beautiful and loving Judy. After a brief time in Vancouver, because Grace wanted to be near her large family, they moved to Brandon where he worked and lived (except for one year in Portage la Prairie) for the rest of his life. He operated service and sales garages in partnership with several different partners until 1966 when he decided to sell for Chrysler Dealerships including Binkley Motors and Brandon Chrysler Dodge. He retired from full time car sales in 1994 at age 75 when Grace's health needed his full attention. He had won numerous Chrysler sales awards while at Brandon Chrysler Dodge, including "Meridian" awards recognizing one of the top sales producers in Canada, as well as trips to Bermuda, Florida and Wisconsin. Allan was an avid curler and golfer and was a member of the Riverview Curling Club and several golf clubs. He especially loved golfing with his grandsons Dan and Cory whom he doted on and of whom he was always so proud. He and Grace were avid bingo players and enjoyed many trips to North Dakota and Las Vegas to play slot machines. He was a great reader and he had the "girls" at the library trained to phone him when new western novels arrived, until his eyesight deteriorated a few years ago. He was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #3 and he and Grace, who were wonderful dancers, often attended the dances there and at the Twin Pines Motel. Allan served for many years as a volunteer at the Commonwealth Air Training Museum, selling souvenirs and conducting tours (often for classes of school children) and entertaining visitors with tales of his own wartime experiences. He was presented with a Volunteer Appreciation Certificate from the City of Brandon in May 2007 for his efforts at the museum. Allan was predeceased by his wife Grace on January 21, 2002, sister Gladys in 1908, father David in 1921, sister Bessie in 1940, mother Elizabeth Forde in 1984, brother Linus in 1986, brother MacKenzie (Mac) in 1986 and his wonderful daughter Judy on June 3, 2009. He is survived by Tina Pauch, his beloved lady who has been with him since June 2007 and has been there to love and take such good care of him as his health had steadily declined. Only through her care and companionship was it possible for Allan to remain in the comfort of his own home for the past several years. Allan and Tina were able to enjoy frequent outings to the Legion for meat draws and dances. Tina shared his love of dancing. They were included in many dinners, parties and barbecues at Dan and Naty's home, where many of the guests called them "Grandpa" and "Grandma." They especially enjoyed the attention and hugs and kisses from his great grandchildren. Allan leaves behind to cherish his memory his grandson Dan (Naty) Delbridge and their children Nathaniel and Angelina; grandson Cory (Christina) Delbridge and their children Matthew and Alicia and son-in-law Ken Delbridge. Also several of Grace's siblings; Kay (Mel) Wolfe, Stewart (Claire) Goldstone, Pat Cruse, Thelma Young and Gail Goldstone. There are 30 nephews and nieces of the MacKay and Goldstone families who will remember his humour and generosity. He made so many friends through his work and even in the last few years, people would approach him and talk to him about buying cars from him many years ago. It was through a search for information by Tina's son, Robert, on a 1957 Dodge Royale, that Allan had sold to Tina and her husband, that they met again after 50 years. The family wishes to thank Dr. L. Groves for the many years of compassionate care and the nurses at the Brandon Clinic. Also Dr. G. Edward, Dr. L. Moller and the staff at the BRHC 4th floor and the Palliative Care Unit. Heartfelt thanks also to Veterans Affairs Canada and BRHA Home Care Program which have provided tremendous support to Allan and Tina over the past several years. A Memorial Service to celebrate Allan's life will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Saturday, March 23, 3013 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Shannon McCarthy officiating. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in memory of Allan may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, 8-940 Princess Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7A 0P6 or the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-First Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 2W8 or a charity of their choice.