Rodney Charles MacKenzie

Born June 11, 1955, in Edmonton, Alberta to parents Doris Evelyn MacKenzie (Kilpatrick) and William Melvin MacKenzie. Rod passed gently in his sleep May 15, 2023, in Campbell river hospital at the age of 67 after many months of giving the nurses a hard time. His battle with serious illness in recent years showed his courage and stubbornness in facing life’s challenges. Despite the pain, Rod came out a warrior and stayed determined until the end.

He died the way he lived: he wrote his own rules, he fought authority, stood up for the underdog and what was right, and he paved his own way. And if you said he couldn’t do it, he would make sure he could prove you wrong.

Rod loved his girls above all, his mother Doris MacKenzie (Nana), his loyal and beloved wife and love of his life Barbara Jean MacKenzie, his two daughters Shelley MacKenzie and Heather Cordero and his dogs, Brittany Spaniel Becky, and Great Pyrenees, Snowy. He taught them to fish, to select a quality hammer, to love the ocean and to value honesty and integrity. He also took great pride in stocking their toolboxes.

He had a life-long love affair with Diet Pepsi, his homemade pancakes and bacon often served to his girls in bed, Nana’s Chinese food, Kentucky Fried Chicken and was a Kraft Dinner connoisseur.

He excelled at carpentry and building anything he could dream up, took great pride in finding a bargain, pissing people off, outsmarting the salmon, never losing a game of competitive sickness for he always got sicker than anyone else, driving his boats and tractor and reading any sci-fi book he could get his hands on.

Rod took fashion cues from no one. His signature every day look was all his: a plain pocketed T-shirt designed by the fashion house Fruit of the Loom or a collared polo, his navy, black or jean shorts worn above the navel and sold exclusively at Walmart, and a pair of old school dad runners that were always paired with a white wide brimmed Tilley hat.

Rod is survived by his wife, daughters, two elder brothers: Donald MacKenzie and his wife Catherine, his nieces and nephew Amber, Julia, and Russell as well as their children and Garry MacKenzie his wife Ticki, his nephews Sean and Todd and son Oliver and nieces Rachel and Kyla. As well as the grand pets Curly, Ruby, Tiggy, Eddie and Ladybug as he affectionately referred to them.

The family would also like to thank the Campbell River general 3rd floor D ward doctors and nurses who took great care of him despite his cranky demeanor.

Instead of sending flowers the family graciously request a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association in memory of Rod.