PLYMOUTH – Gerald L. MacKenzie, 82, went to heaven Feb. 19, 2009, surrounded by his wife and family, at his home. He was born July 19, 1926, in Millinocket, a son of James and Carrie (Skinner) MacKenzie. He served as foreman for the State of Maine Transportation Department for 37 1/2 years before retiring. He was also the road commissioner for Plymouth for more than 25 years. Gerald left Millinocket and moved to Plymouth, where he met Christie Hines. They were married July 31, 1946, celebrated 62 years of marriage and raised nine children together. Their home had an open door for the many relatives and neighborhood children. He enjoyed riding his horses, and later bred horses and raced colts at Maine fairs. He loved music, playing his guitar and singing with his family. After he retired, fishing was a great enjoyment. He also loved to hunt. Gerald and Christie enjoyed coon and deer hunting together, and teaching their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren hunting skills and hunter safety. He spent many hours at hunting camp with friends and family. Gerald is survived by his wife, Christie M. MacKenzie of Plymouth; five daughters, Linda and husband, Mike Seavey, of Plymouth, Brenda and husband, Philip Ripton, Lorraine and husband, Aaron Hawthorne, Kris MacKenzie and Todd Braley, all of Newport, and Sharon and husband, Tom McDonald, of Bangor; and three sons, Gerald “Butch” and wife, Laurie MacKenzie, of Etna, George “Buck” and wife, Betty MacKenzie, of Newport, and Scott and wife, Allison MacKenzie, of Plymouth. Papa MacKenzie will be loved and missed by his grandchildren, Jonathan and wife, Nancy Seavey, of Dover Foxcroft, Leslie and husband, Jason Feid, of North Attleboro, Mass., Amie Seavey of Hermon, Angela and husband, Matt Brown, Kurt and wife, Heather MacKenzie, all of Palmyra, Trisha Ripton of Connecticut, Jared Ripton, Joshua Ripton, Cain MacKenzie, Adam and wife, Liz Hawthorne, Craig and Jessie Hawthorne, Tyler MacKenzie, Zachery Leal and MacKenzie Leal, all of Newport, Amanda Ripton of Millinocket, Matt and wife, Linarre McDonald, of Belfast, Christopher and wife, Megan McDonald, of Howland, Elizabeth and husband, Kevin Switzer, of Cumberland, Aaron and wife, Shelly Hawthorne, of Texas, Laurie and husband, Bill Butland, of Etna, Sarah MacKenzie of New York City, Ashley MacKenzie of Florida, Anna MacKenzie and Isaac MacKenzie, both of Plymouth; and 23 great-grandchildren. Uncle Gerald will be remembered by a dear niece, Dawn and husband, Paul Rutkowski, of Newport. He will now be with his son, James “Jim” MacKenzie, who died in 2003; and grandson, Ryan MacKenzie, who died in 2004. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Kenneth MacKenzie, Robert MacKenzie and Tom MacKenzie; and sisters, Dorothy Thomen, Annie Castle and Lula Judkins. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church, Plymouth, with the Rev. Robert Emrich and the Rev. Richard Berry officiating. Spring burial will be at Sawyer Cemetery, Plymouth. Those who wish may make donations in his memory to Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church Music Fund, P.O. Box 62, Plymouth, ME 04969. Those who wish may sign an online guest register and leave written tributes at www.CrosbyNeal.com.
GERALD LEWIS MACKENZIE
