Robert Wayne MacKinnon

July 20, 1932 - March 1, 2026

Wayne MacKinnon died at home in North Bay on March 1, 2026. Wayne was very much a proponent of people staying in their own homes as they aged, if they were able. We are grateful that he was. Dad was sharp right until the end, keeping abreast of politics and world events. He never lost that passion.

Robert Wayne MacKinnon, or Wayne, as he was known, was born during the Great Depression in North Bay, Ontario, on July 20, 1932. He was the youngest of six children. Wayne was born to Bob (Robert Matthew) MacKinnon (June 1, 1888 - July 27, 1932) and Katie (Katherine May) McLeod MacKinnon (August 7, 1894 - December 7, 1978). He was predeceased by all of his siblings: Kay (Katherine Madeline) MacKinnon Ashford (November 6, 1916 - November 22, 2013), Bert (John Robert) MacKinnon (November 26, 1918 - September 25, 1997), Dorie (Doris Florence) MacKinnon (September 17, 1920 - November 26, 2014), Moody (Muriel Ethel) MacKinnon Pendergast (June 25, 1923 - March 13, 2018), and Margie (Margaret Beatty) MacKinnon Holder (October 14, 1924 - April 22, 2020).

Wayne grew up at "14" McLeod Street in North Bay, surrounded by older siblings, cousins and aunts and uncles. He attended McPhail Street School, and then NBCIVS (North Bay Collegiate Institute and Vocational School). He did his teacher training at North Bay Normal School after Grade 13, and began his teaching career in Cobalt, Ontario in the mid 1950s. After returning to North Bay, he continued to teach elementary school, King George being one of those, and served as a vice-principal.

As a young man, Wayne was very involved in organizations such as the Jaycees Service Club, the Ontario Public School Men's Federation and later the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation and various social justice causes. He was a member of The Gateway Gamblers (a square dance group), he curled and played hockey. He was a lover of music, especially classical, opera and operettas.

On April 14, 1960, Wayne married Shirley Anne Wagg at St. Andrew's United Church in North Bay. Karen, Laura and Deanna joined the family in quick succession. Rod(dy) took a little longer, entering the world in 1970. We were a busy family, with Dad finishing his degree at the University of Western Ontario and OISE and Mom nursing part time and caring for us. We took advantage of the long summer holidays Dad had as a teacher to make long trips and visit relatives.

Dad valued family history and maintaining family connections. We spent many holidays down east in the Ottawa Valley where his mother Katie was born and raised, and down south visiting his siblings in Mississauga, Queenston and Windsor. One summer, we travelled down east to Cape Breton, where Dad knocked on MacKinnon family doors in search of more information about his father's side of the family. We'll never forget driving on the Magnetic Hill - twice!

Dad began teaching English, History and Geography at the secondary school level at his old high school, by then known as Algonquin Composite School. He then took on the role of Learning Materials Consultant for the Board of Education, occasionally bringing home films he'd show us on a film projector. The Rise and fall of the Great Lakes and Paddle to the Sea were favourites. Dad finished his teaching career at Chippewa Secondary School, where he coached boys’ cross country running and played on the teachers' hockey team. Dad retired in 1987 after teaching for 36 years.

In the fall of 1992, Dad packed up his truck and moved to the West End of Vancouver. He found a lovely apartment five minutes from Stanley Park and English Bay, just off Denman Street. His apartment had a spectacular view of North Vancouver and the North Shore mountains. Dad loved strolling around Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, and being within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores and drug stores.

He became involved in the local community, joining a Scottish Country Dance group and a local committee whose aim was to save Mole Hill, the last block of heritage homes in Vancouver. They were successful, and it was a point of pride for Dad to show his visitors the beautifully preserved houses. Dad loved having company, and we all enjoyed his warm hospitality at apartment 802, or as we liked to call it, mini 11 Superior in the sky.

Dad had many health challenges while he lived out west. He had cancer twice, as well as open heart surgery. Mom would fly out and stay for a couple of weeks to nurse Dad back to health. They both loved to attend concerts and plays together, and there were no shortage of those opportunities in Vancouver. During Dad's time in Vancouver, he would visit Ontario every two years to attend his Normal School Reunion and visit with family.

In January 2023, Dad returned to Ontario, leaving 1010 Gilford and his beloved West End behind, due to declining health. Dad was still active and kept up with the world around him, but his health concerns were starting to take their toll. We are forever grateful for being a part of Dad's life.

Wayne is survived by his four children: Karen Taylor (Steven, predeceased), Laura MacKinnon (Lawrence Cabana), Deanna MacKinnon and Rod MacKinnon (Katherine Beckett), as well as grandchildren Jana, Shannon, Rae, Samuel, Serena, Abigail, Alex, Charlie, Kraig, Logan, Ana, Andrea and Cassandra. Wayne also has twelve great-grandchildren, including one special little girl, Rory, who won his heart during his last years in North Bay.

Wayne's family would like to thank Sylvie Savage and the staff at the West Ferris Nurse Practitioner - Led Clinic and the staff at the North Bay Regional Health Centre for their amazing patience and care while meeting his healthcare needs. Thanks also to Ian and Jody Martyn and the staff of Martyn Funeral Home for their excellent and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Friends of the CBC, or the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

A celebration of Wayne's life will be held on June 13, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. at Martyn Funeral Home, 464 Wyld Street, North Bay. Reception to follow.

"May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest". (Hamlet)