Jamie passed away peacefully on Friday, October 10, 2025 at Willow Lodge Nursing Home. He was surrounded by his daughters and the family who adopted him at Willow Lodge. He was dearly loved and will be missed.

Jamie was born November 17, 1935, the first son to Elsie (MacLean) and John W. MacKay. He spent his early years in Lorne, where he could run through the fields to his Grandma and Grandpa MacLean any time he got in trouble at home. His family then moved to MacKay St, New Glasgow where he attended school and St. Andrews (The Kirk) Presbyterian Church. 

New Glasgow is where he met his future wife Betty Geddes, who was in training at the Aberdeen School of Nursing. They were married in Middle Stewiacke in 1957. A few years later they started their family and bought a home on Cambey Ave in Stellarton. It was here that they spent many happy years and made many wonderful friends. He returned to Lorne in his retirement years spending time on the land where his heart truly lay.

Those who knew Dad well knew he enjoyed joking and teasing, particularly with his two special grandsons. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing at the camp and took great pride in his vegetable and flower gardens. He was a hard worker and loved to help others. Dad would be the first person there helping to organize an event and the last person there sweeping the floor.

He started working at 13, cutting meat and delivering groceries for Sobeys. On one occasion he was spotted by his mother and sister driving the store’s delivery truck when he was well below the legal age to drive. Following this he worked 8 years for CN Express, delivered furnace oil for Esso and briefly worked for Maritime Paving. His final move was back to Esso Petroleum Canada for 28 years as Chief Engineering Technologist for the Maritimes. Dad was an active member of UCT for many years. He was proud to be a Presbyterian Elder and, before moving back to Lorne, was a dedicated member of the Men’s Club at First Presbyterian Church, Stellarton. He could regularly be found at A&W for breakfast and to hear the latest news in the county. He was involved with the St. Columba Cemetery Committee, the Lorne Cemetery committee, First Presbyterian Church Hopewell and the Lorne Community Hall.

Dad was often the first person family and friends called upon when a vehicle broke down, someone needed help moving, there was a “big job” to be done, or a calm level-headed confidant was required. We will all continue to miss being able to call on him.

When Mom moved to Willow Lodge Nursing Home in Tatamagouche, Dad would make the long trip every day to visit with her. The staff at Willow Lodge made Dad feel so welcome, and he enjoyed their meals so much, that when the time came he chose to move there as well. We can truly say that everyone at Willow Lodge made what could have been the most difficult years of Mom and Dad’s lives, some of the best.

He will be dearly missed by his wife Betty; daughters Lauree (late Bernie), Brenda (John), Stephanie (Jim), and Elsbeth (Mike); grandsons James and Samual; as well as Keddy Humphries (late Bernie), Pat MacKay (late Allan), Carolyn (Bert) Livingstone, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dad will now be reunited with his parents Elsie and John W. MacKay, his brother George MacKay, and many other family members and friends who have gone before him.

Since Dad moved to Tatamagouche to be with Mom, people have often shared with us some way that he was there to support them when they needed help and how much they cared about him. It gave us this beautiful insight into Dad as a friend and neighbour. If you would like to join us in a final goodbye, visitation will be held at HW Angus Funeral Home, King St, New Glasgow on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 4 pm to 8 pm. A private family funeral and burial will take place at a later date.

Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to the Willow Lodge Nursing Home 100 Blair Ave, Tatamagouche, NS B0K 1V0 or Lorne Community Cemetery at c/o Tom Mountain 752 Glengarry Rd., Hopewell NS B0K 1C0.