Richard Crawford “Dick” Mackay, 89, of North Truro, MA died after a period of declining health at Eagle Pond in South Dennis on Monday, April 21, with his two sons at his side. Dick was born August 26, 1924 in North Adams, Massachusetts the third of four children and only son of Jessie (Price) and William Mackay. Dick, his parents and three sisters, Anne (Siler) Euphemia (O’Connor) and Jessie (Foster) moved to New London, Ct in 1936.
He graduated from the former Buckley High School in 1943 where he started as an offensive and defensive tackle for the high school’s powerhouse football team back in the “iron man” days of two-way football. Upon graduation, he entered the US Army Air Corp, training to fly B-17 bombers. With the end of the war and his honorable discharge, Dick continued his studies at The University of Cincinnati. While home on vacation he met Jean Burgess and after a 6 month whirlwind romance they married. They remained in love and together for 66 years until her death in 2012. It is impossible to talk too much about Dick without mentioning Jean. They were an inseparable team.
Dick and Jean started their life together in Waterford, CT where Dick began his 40-year career with Connecticut Power Company, which, after changing its name to Hartford Electric Light Company and HELCO, became part of Northeast Utilities. In Waterford, Dick and Jean raised two sons. Craig (Carla) of Chantilly, VA and Myles of North Truro, MA, both survive him. He is also survived by two grandsons William Mackay of Chantilly, VA and Richard Mackay of Herndon, VA as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dick’s three sisters, Anne, Euphemia and Jessie predeceased him.
Dick was active in the Waterford community serving as a member of the Waterford- East Lyme Shellfish Commission and as a volunteer on various councils for the First Congregational Church in New London.
Dick was a passionate saltwater and expert freshwater fly fisherman. His homes in Waterford and North Truro were filled with trophies for his striped bass catches on Cape Cod and the waters of Long Island Sound as a member of the former New England Spin Fishing Association. Often, he could be found with his fly rod at Latimer’s Brook in Flanders, Ct. tossing the flies he had tied for rainbows, brookies and brown trout. But his greatest joy was sharing and teaching these talents to his two sons and later his grandsons.
Dick was a charter member of Mount Vernon Retreat, a vacation association in Mount Vernon, Maine, founded by some of New London’s leading citizens. In Maine, Dick developed a new love of skiing and could be found on the slopes with his family, snowplowing down the sides of New England’s most notable resorts.
When Dick and Jean retired in 1984, they moved to the house they built in North Truro on Cape Cod. He spent many hours on the Cape with his grandsons swimming at Herring Cove Beach, playing golf at Highland Links or watching whales on Stellwagen Banks in the ocean off of Cape Cod.
In Truro, Dick was active as a member of the building committee for the new Truro Safety Complex, a member of the Truro Neighborhood Association and a frequent golfer and a season member of Highland Links Golf Course.
Dick and Jean were snowbirds spending their winters on Hutchinson Island, FL. where they were members of the Island Dunes Country Club. Dick also spent many hours on the golf courses in the Sunshine State.
Craig, Myles and the entire Mackay family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of Eagle Pond in South Dennis. They provided expert care with an unending amount of compassion. They were truly generous and gracious throughout our ordeal.
The family suggests that those wishing to make a memorial contribution consider Hope Hospice and Alzheimer’s Services, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601 or www.HopeHealthCo.org. Dick’s favorite charity.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 10am at St Peter the Apostle, 11 Prince Street, Provincetown. Dick and Jean, together again, will have their ashes interred immediately following the service at New South Cemetery in Truro.