He was born on July 2, 1942 to Hugh and Mary MacKay in Glendale, California. He grew up in
Glendale with his brothers Rick and Bill and his sister Maureen. He attended Holy Family
School, Loyola High School, Glendale College and Cal State Los Angeles, earning a bachelor’s
degree in recreational education and obtained his California Community College credentials in
the field of public service and administration with a minor in physical education. Growing up
Bob excelled at baseball, playing at the high school and college levels. But it was at Glendale
College that he learned and fell in love with the game of tennis. He worked for Glendale Parks
& Recreation for over 40 years.
Upon his retirement from Parks & Recreation the Glendale News Press reported, “Just the
mention of his name gives sports and recreation in Glendale a name and a face that has been
recognizable for the past 40 years. Since the early 1960s … MacKay has been synonymous
with the growth of youth and adult sporting activities in Glendale, as well as teaching
thousands of people how to play tennis.”
Bob is best known for coaching tennis, which he did privately for over 50 years. He also
coached the men’s tennis team at Glendale College for 15 years. As a tennis coach, he won
numerous “Coach of the Year” awards, state championships, and coached All-Americans.
Many of his students went on to play college and professional tennis. Those coached by him
frequently commented that he was much more than a coach. Bob cared for and loved his
students. He didn’t measure their success by wins and losses. He coached the whole person.
No one walked away from Bob without better self-esteem and some important tools for
happiness.
Underpinning everything in his life was Bob’s love for his family. He beamed when he spoke of
his children Rob (Aida), Lehren (Kennan), Rhiannon (Charlie) and Alexie (Stephen), his
grandchildren Robert (Courtney), Christopher, Aslin and Eneko and great grandson Luka.
Bob is survived by his brother Rick (Noreen), sister Maureen (Reggie), four children, four
grandchildren, one great grandson and nephews and nieces Melanie (Steve), Allison (Chris),
Reggie and Rachel (Tim).
A funeral Mass will be held on June 8, 2024 at 10:30 am at Incarnation Catholic Church in Glendale, CA. A Celebration of Life event will be held on June 8, 2024 at 2 pm at Glendale College.
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