HUGH P. MACKAY

WINTER HARBOR – Hugh P. Mackay, 90, died peacefully March 20, 2009, at an Ellsworth hospital. He was born July 29, 1918, in Winter Harbor, the son of Joseph J.P. Mackay and Lillian E. (Bateman) Mackay. He attended Winter Harbor schools until moving to Ellsworth with his family as a senior in high school and would graduate from Ellsworth High School. He then attended the University of Maine as forestry major for three years. As a high school and college student, he excelled at sports, especially basketball and baseball, and was a member of the University of Maine freshman football team and was heavy weight intramural boxing champion in 1937. He was a member of Phi Eta Kappa Fraternity. In 1941, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Puerto Rico during World War II, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. On July 6, 1941, Hugh married Constance Aroline Bickford. Shortly after the end of the war, Hugh and Connie settled back in Winter Harbor, where they raised five children. As a young family man Hugh continued his involvement in local sports, playing on semi-pro and pick-up basketball teams, pick-up baseball teams and later supporting the local youth athletic teams in many ways, as his children became involved in sports. Hugh went to work for Eleanor Widener Dixon and later her son, F. Eugene Dixon Jr., as their property manager before retiring in 1988. Hugh and Connie enjoyed trips to Philadelphia on Mr. Dixon’s private jet to attend Philadelphia 76ers basketball games during the time that Mr. Dixon was the owner of that team. They also enjoyed many trips visiting their grown children around the country, including Hawaii and two trips to Europe. In the early 90s, they began spending their winters in Sun City Center, Fla., and eventually bought a home there. This was a very enjoyable time for them, as Connie loved the warm Florida climate. The gardener in Hugh loved being able to pick fresh tomatoes and strawberries at the nearby farms and they enjoyed many bus trips around Southern Florida, including trips to the Red Sox spring training camp. With the passing of Connie in 2005 and Hugh’s declining health, the Florida house was sold and Hugh moved back to his Sargent Street home. He spent his summers there and winters at Sunbury Village, Bangor. Hugh felt that it was important to serve his community and he did so in a variety of capacities. He served on the Winter Harbor School Committee and Flanders Bay CSD Board of Directors and Winter Harbor planning board. He was a charter member of Winter Harbor Chamber of Commerce, served as its president for a time and was in charge of cooking the lobsters at many of the early annual Lobster Festivals. He served on the Winter Harbor Utilities District Board for many years. He also served on the town budget committee, was treasurer of the town of Winter Harbor and was moderator at town meetings for 35 years. He was past chair of the Republican Committee of Winter Harbor. He was a lifetime member of Winter Harbor Fire Department, where he had been a member since 1946 and served as fire chief for eight years. He served on the Maine Fire Chiefs Association, Maine Fireman’s Association and Hancock County Fire Association. His years on the fire department were a great source of pride for him and he told many stories related to those years, most of which were very emotional for him. He was also a 64-year member of Masonic Lodge No. 192 of Winter Harbor. Hugh was a charter member of E. W. Dixon Memorial Clinic Committee and served on the board of trustees of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital from 1988 to 1997. He loved everything about Winter Harbor and rarely missed a daily ride around Grindstone Neck and Schoodic Point, and to check on the activity at the town dock. He was an avid fan of the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox, family gatherings, lobster rolls at Ruth and Wimpy’s, fried scallops at Chase’s, an afternoon cup of coffee at Gerrish’s and a dish of coffee ice cream in his recliner before bedtime. Hugh is survived and sadly missed by a son, Joseph B. Mackay and life partner, Alan Parks, of Town Hill; four daughters, Johanna Smith, Sandra Drinkwater and husband, Peter, all of Winter Harbor, Mary Ulinski and husband, Ted, of Bernalillo, N.M., and Susan Luther of Highland Falls, N.Y.; a brother, Bruce Mackay of Winter Harbor; six grandchildren, Patricia Chavtur and her husband, Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate Charles II, U.S. Coast Guard, Sarah Drinkwater, Thomas Hill, Alison Drinkwater, Adam Drinkwater and John Caleb Luther; two great-grandchildren, Charles Chavtur III and Christopher Chavtur; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Connie; two sons-in-law, Peter R. Smith and Lt. Col. John James Luther Jr., U.S. Army, retired; three stepbrothers, James Mackay, Oliver Mackay and John Mackay; four stepsisters, Effie MacDonald, Marguerite Mackay, Barbara Mackay and Elizabeth Mackay. Hugh’s family thanks the staff at Collier’s Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Maine Coast Memorial Hospital and all the doctors, nurses and support staff at Gouldsboro Clinic for the wonderful care they provided. Very special thanks to Dr. Nabozny, Dr. Crowley and the intensive care unit nurse, Barbara Bragdon. Having Dad in their care was a source of great comfort. Friends are invited to gather 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at Masonic Lodge No. 192, School Street, Winter Harbor. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 175 Downeast Highway, Ellsworth, with the Rev. Priscilla Hukki officiating. Interment will be held at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery, Winter Harbor. Contributions in Hugh’s memory may be made to EWD Clinic Committee, 37 Clinic Road, Gouldsboro, ME 04607 or St. Andrew Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 764, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.