Shrewsbury – Malcolm Dudley MacKenzie, 88, a man of Christian faith, beloved husband and father, died on Aug. 25, 2021 after a sudden decline in health with his loving family by his side. He was born in Cambridge to the late Stewart and Alice (Brown) MacKenzie.
Left to remember him is his loving wife of 64 years, Nancy B. (Curtis) MacKenzie, as well as his twin daughters, Jennifer and Rebecca of Shrewsbury, and sons, Curtis MacKenzie and wife Diane of Suffolk, VA, Jeffrey MacKenzie and wife Ada of Cherry Valley, MA and Bradford MacKenzie and partner Susan of Gainesville, VA; and his sister-in-law Susan (Curtis) Hafey of Hampton, NH, many nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends.
A graduate of Wilmington High School’s class of 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his birthday in 1952, serving in the Seabees during the Korean Conflict with honorable discharge in 1956. Following the war, he married and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in1960, and then embarked on a career in sales of construction and industrial materials.
He was employed at Atlantic Rubber Company Inc. in Littleton, MA, since 1989, never choosing to fully retire. Malcolm had been an active member of the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury since 1963, serving as a deacon, trustee and confirmation class teacher.
He was a long-time member of the Matthew John Whittall Masonic Lodge in Shrewsbury and was a recipient of the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Award for exemplary and distinguished service to the Fraternity, the community and the member’s house of worship. Malcolm was also a member of the Aleppo Shriners in Wilmington, MA and the Scottish Rite.
Malcolm was proud of his five children and his happiest days were spending time with his wife and children on Great Hill, Kennebunk Beach, Maine, where Malcolm met Nancy in August 1952. He enjoyed playing ball, flying kites, sailing, walking on the beach and sitting together on the breakwater.
A bible theologian at heart, he was always reaching for a better understanding of The Word. He also had a desire to keep healthy and continue learning. He was an avid reader, worked hard learning new technology and was intrigued with the investment markets. Malcolm loved building, a trade he learned from his father. He was also proud of his family home which he designed and built in the early 1970s.
Malcolm’s family would like to thank the doctors at UMass Memorial who oversaw his care during his lifetime, several with whom he considered as much a friend as a physician, most especially his Cardiologist for over 30 years, Dr. David P. Lyons, who referred to Malcolm as “his champion patient and calisthenic man”! Much gratitude is extended to the medical team at The Shrewsbury Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Shrewsbury for their outstanding care and heartfelt compassion during Malcolm’s short stay and final days.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to gather for a Christian Funeral Service on Tuesday, Sept. 7, commencing at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury. Interment will be private.
Malcolm was passionate about bringing attention to the care and healing provided to children at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made be made in Malcolm’s honor to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston MA 02114 https://donate.lovetotherescue.org.
