Arthur Matthew McKenzie

After a short battle with mesothelioma, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arthur McKenzie, our beloved husband and father on April 19th at the age of 84 with his family by his side.

Arthur leaves to mourn his loving wife of 62 years, Phyllis; his two boys, Jeff (daughter in-law Tammie and granddaughter Ashlynn (Cam), Wayne (daughter in-law Chantale and grandchildren Matthew (G) and Brett) ; sister Pat (Steve) as well as extended family and friends. Arthur was predeceased by his sisters Joan and Judy (Max) and parents Archie and Katherine.

Arthur was born on June 3rd 1938 in Selkirk Manitoba. The family eventually moved to Winnipeg in around 1950 where he and his dad built their house on Burrin ave. He graduated from West Kildonan Collegiate and got into the plumbing trade where he started his plumbing apprenticeship at Comstock and moved to Randall Plumbing in 1959. He left Randall in 1971 and became a mechanical inspector for Smith Carter Partners in the 1970’s. In 1980, He worked as a mechanical estimator at Master Plumbing and Heating and eventually became a partner. He was drawn back to Randall Plumbing in 1989 where he became an owner in the company. He was very active throughout his career and was a leader in the mechanical industry and became the president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Manitoba (MCAM).

Arthur met the love of his life (Phyllis) on a blind date in 1958 and they were married on July 7 1962. They purchased a house in West Kildonan and started a family with their two boys. From coaching hockey to faithfully watching from the sidelines at baseball and soccer games, dad was always there.

Art was an avid outdoorsman. He instilled in his sons the joy of the outdoors and spent his summers taking us camping and fishing and exploring almost all of Canada. Starting off with a tent, then to a camper, motor home and then to camp at Bigstone. The fall was time for hunting. The annual deer hunting trip to Coulter, the chicken hunting trips to Spearhill and Sandilands, goose hunting in the Interlake and moose hunting in the Duck Mountains kept him very busy.

In 1989, Art and Phyllis purchased a lakefront lot in Sioux Narrows and together with their boys, built their dream cottage. Art and Phyllis retired in 2001, sold their house in Winnipeg and moved out to Sioux Narrows where they settled into their retirement years. They became very active in the community and made many new friends. Art became involved and helped revived the SIOUX NARROWS 50+ Senior Centre and expanded the membership from 10 members to well over 100. Art and Phyllis also enjoyed the monthly dock parties, themed dinners parties, and many crib tournaments. He also found all the good fishing spots on the Lake of the Woods with the help from his friends and neighbours.

The Christmas in July celebrations every year with family from all over Canada were priceless. Nothing made him happier than having everything organized to the T and seeing everyone he loved all in one place. We are pretty sure all of Sioux Narrows knows the lyrics to American Pie now. His other hobbies included chainsaw carving, woodworking, painting, exploring, but most importantly, making his #1 Love happy. Whatever mom wanted she got. That included travelling to many parts of the world and setting foot on 6 of the 7 continents.

The family would like to thank all of the friends and neighbours in Sioux Narrows for all the help and support over the years. He held you all very dear in his heart. We would also like to thank Dr. Trinh and all the Nurses at CancerCare Manitoba (Bethesda Hospital) in Steinbach Manitoba.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Arthur’s name to CancerCare Manitoba or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresfuneralhome.com for the McKenzie family.