William F. Mackey
Retired Assistant Fire Chief at Massport Logan Airport
Burlington, Mass – William F. Mackey of Dracut, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away at Lahey Medical Center on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at age 85. He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Gallant) Mackey, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage. “Bill” was born in East Boston on Oct. 28, 1932, one of nine children of the late Richard and Elizabeth (Meaney) Mackey. He attended East Boston schools before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He served in Germany on the Air Force Crash Crew – an assignment that led to his accomplished 42-year career with Massport Fire and Rescue at Logan Airport. To Bill, it was not work. He cherished being among his brother firefighters at Logan Airport and considered them his closest friends, especially the late Ken Thomas. Though he retired in 1997, stories about “Chief Mackey” continue to be fondly shared in the department today. He was a much beloved assistant chief and considered “one of a kind” for his sense of humor, attention to detail, knowledge of his work and kind heart. He enjoyed his early days growing up in East Boston, while also summering with his family at Silver Lake in Wilmington. He and Betty raised four children in Tewksbury before moving to Dracut last year. The family spent many happy times at their summer place in Wells, Maine. Bill and Betty also enjoyed many trips, bus tours and cruises. Bill was happiest when among family, whether his parents and eight siblings or his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He sat proudly on the sidelines of many games, dance recitals, concerts and plays, always their biggest fan. His interests included history, trivia, music, his Irish heritage, anything nautical, reading and staying fit. William was the beloved father of William F. Mackey, Jr. of Tewksbury, Debra (Mackey) Hovanasian and her husband Jack of Dracut, Thomas Mackey, Deputy Chief of Dracut Fire Dept., and Ken Mackey and his wife Sandra (Farley) Mackey of Tewksbury. Brother of Marjorie DiManno of South Boston and the late Robert, Richard and Thomas Mackey, Rita Joyce, Elizabeth Layne, Lorraine Fournier and Madeline O'Keefe. A loving “Grandad” to William, Ryan and Kevin Mackey, LeeAnn (Hovanasian) Coviello and Jill Hovanasian, Zach Coleman, Jade, Karina, Shannon and Jake Mackey. Great-Grandad to Connor, Robyn, Shayne and Madelyn Mackey, Jack Perrin, Brooke Mackey and another great-granddaughter due in December. Bill will also be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family extends its thanks to the Lahey Medical Center staff, which cared for him well and extended many kindnesses.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours at Edgar J. Racicot, Inc. Funeral Home, 1400 Broadway Rd., Dracut, from 9:00am to 10:30am Saturday, Aug. 25. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday Aug. 25 at 11:00am at St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road, Dracut MA. Internment in Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Catie’s Closet, 19 School Street, Dracut, MA, are appreciated.