Obituary of Jonathan MacKenzie

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of the Reverend Jonathan MacKenzie on August 24th, 2023. He was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, pastor and friend.  He was 84 years old. 

Born September, 1938,  to Harry and Kate MacKenzie, Jonathan spent his youth in the Adirondacks of New York, where he developed a deep connection with the mountains and outdoors. He graduated as Valedictorian, from the Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School District in Elizabethtown, NY in 1956. Jonathan lived a life that was full of love for people, nature, knowledge and God. 

After graduating with a BA in English from Union College in Schenectady, NY in 1960,  Jonathan served in the US Army from 1961-1964, attending the Department of Defense’s premier language school the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center of Monterey, CA and became a translator for the Army, spending time in Germany.  Following this he earned a Master’s of Divinity from General Seminary in New York City in 1967 and became an ordained Episcopal Priest in December of that same year, serving parishes across Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire and Massachuesets. In his later years, he became a Spiritual Companion, being present and supportive to individuals as he walked along with them on their own spiritual journeys. He was an active member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in North Bellrica. 

Jonathan was a man of many gifts, that he was always willing to share. He was a seeker of knowledge and words, a voracious reader, history lover and storyteller. He loved meeting people, learning and making new connections.  He could identify almost any tree, plant or bird, and loved to share the history of his ancestors, the stories of the Adirondack Mountains and Merrimack River Valley, with his children and grandchildren. 

After settling in Chelmsford, Jonathan became an active member in the Greater Lowell Road Runners and enjoyed his time with friends, running along the Merrimack and training for numerous races, including the Boston Marathon, which he finished at the ripe age of 71. In addition, he practiced Tai Chi, was a member of contemplative prayer circles and enjoyed being a licensed ham radio operator.  He also continued to maintain his memberships in the Adirondack and Appalachian Mountain Clubs, hiking and mountain climbing whenever he had the opportunity.

While Jonathan made many connections across the span of his long life, the true love of his life was Carol, his late wife. She was his partner and best friend for the last 23 years. Together they had many adventures, raising horses, hiking, skiing, traveling to Scotland and visiting family across the country. The life they shared together was full of love and laughter. 

He was a person who saw the best in everyone, touched the lives of many and he will be so very missed.

Preceded in death by his wife Carol MacKenzie and brothers Donald and Robert, Jonathan is survived by his four children, stepson and grandchildren. Donations can be made in his name to the following: 

Episcopal Relief and Development

815 Second Ave

New York, NY 117

Or

The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research

415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D

Woodbury, NY 11797