George MacDonald Mackie III

Born on July 21,1930 in Fall River, MA, he was the first of two children born to the late George and Ora Mackie. George married the love of his life, Yvette Marie Tessier on June 28, 1952 and they were married for 61 years prior to her passing in 2013.

George was the first in his family to attend college and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Bradford Tech division with a BS in Chemistry & Dyeing. After graduation he joined the Army and served as a Medic in the 4th Infantry Division in Germany, during the Korean Conflict. He attained the rank of Corporal and was Honorably Discharged in August of 1954. He returned to civilian life and became the Plant Chemist at Davis Mills in Fall River. George was recruited to the Dyes & Chemical division of the Swiss conglomerate CIBA, which relocated him to Mahwah, NJ in 1968. His division of the Company was spun out of CIBA and was acquired by the Dyes and Chemical division of Crompton & Knowles. George migrated south to Charlotte, NC following the textile industry and finished his career as the Product Manager for the CK division of Direct Dyes. In the 1990’s he worked with the International Affairs group of the Company lobbying the United States Congress regarding tariffs and was instrumental in negotiating several international Trade Agreements on behalf of his Company and the textile industry. The international travel provided him the opportunity to see parts of the world he never would have imagined as a young boy growing up in Fall River. George had a passion for travel and was always thinking about his next trip and adventure.

George is survived by his brother, Donald B. Mackie of Fall River, MA; his son, George M. Mackie, IV and wife Wandra of Kiawah Island, SC; his daughter, Linda Marie Hughes and husband Tom of Matthews, NC; a granddaughter, Jordan Mackie Whitesides and husband Wyman of Charlotte, NC; a grandson, George M. Mackie, V and his wife Parker of Chevy Chase, MD; a grandson, Matthew Hughes of Matthews, NC; a grandson, Jason Hughes, of Matthew, NC; and three great-grandchildren who he adored.

George is also survived by his very dear friend Rose Jarboe, who shared his passion for travel and filled a void in his life after his wife Yvette’s passing.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be scheduled at a later time, when the world gets back to normal after the current Pandemic.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Charlotte Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500-A Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206. [email protected]