Peter Malcolm MacKenzie

Born in New Haven, CT in 1943 to James and Muriel (Jensen) MacKenzie, Peter spent the later part of his childhood in Wethersfield, CT. As a teenager, he discovered a love of driving fast cars and could often be found racing up and down the Berlin Turnpike or at Connecticut Dragway in Colchester. During summers with his parents in Eastham MA, he also discovered his love for powerboats and fishing, much to the dismay of his father who preferred sailing. Cape Cod held special meaning for the family as they were descendants of the Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins who left Plymouth to settle in Eastham.

Peter graduated from Wethersfield High School, then went on to Long Island’s C. W. Post College, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was working at MacKenzie Machine and Marine Shop in New Haven and Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford when he met Millie in a bowling league. They settled in Rocky Hill where they raised their family. He spent the majority of his career at Hydro Air in Wallingford, before retiring from Powertech Motion Control in Mahwah, NJ in 2008. In retirement he pursued his lifelong passions for fishing, hunting and IDPA pistol competitions. He was a genius with machines, a born salesman and an avid sportsman.

Peter owned a variety of sports cars throughout his life and was especially fond of Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros. He could often be found working on or waxing them, or driving around with the top down singing along to Jimmy Buffett or Bob Seager. He loved music, especially live music. Evenings he could often be found at the local establishment singing along with a Jack in his hand or on the dance floor. Eventually the Jack was replaced by ginger ale, but the singing and dancing continued on. He also enjoyed listening to bagpipes, and was proud of his Scottish heritage.

Shortly after their wedding, Peter and Millie got an English Settler hunting dog, Scottie, who also became a family dog. Scotty was followed by other English Setters, who were always at their side. Peter was a longtime member of Wethersfield Game Club and Capital City Pistol Club, then after moving to MA joined Bass River Rod & Gun Club and Nauset Rod & Gun Club. He participated in IDPA competitions until his death and was proud of his ability to score well, being an ‘old guy’.

As Captain of the HIGHLANDER, Peter was an avid boater whether cruising on the Connecticut River or fishing on Cape Cod Bay. A member and once Commodore of the Wethersfield Cove Yacht Club and a member of the Rock Harbor Charter Boat Association, he always boasted that he had pirate blood and salt water in his veins, so he could never live very far from the ocean. He loved fishing in Cape Cod Bay so much that in the mid 1990’s Peter moved his boat to Rock Harbor in Orleans, MA and started a Charter Fishing business. He enjoyed teaching others how to fish, hoping they could get the experience of reeling in ‘the big one’, running trips until 2021. His favorite place to spend the day was on Cape Cod Bay; his ashes will be returned there.

Peter is survived by his wife Millie, his daughters Christine Blanda Zuckerman and Cheryl Nelson, their spouses Brian Zuckerman and Brian Nelson, and his faithful English Setter Betsey. He was immensely proud of his grandchildren, Jeffrey Blanda, Zackary Blanda, James Nelson, Caroline Nelson, Nathaniel Nelson, and his step-grandson Brayden Zuckerman. Peter taught them all how to fish, shoot, wax a boat, and cruise with the top down. He is also survived by his sister Muriel (Junie) Mackenzie, his brother in law Kenneth Cidela, as well as one nephew and four nieces. He was predeceased by his parents James and Muriel, and his sister Barbara Cidela.

Peter will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His witty sense of humor will be greatly missed. We will never hear the song ‘A Pirate Looks at Forty’ without remembering him singing along, as if it was written about him.

Peter often said ‘I’d rather be seen than viewed’, so think of him and hold your loved ones close.