Kenneth M. MacKenzie, 69, of Mattapoisett died May 27, 2010 at home after a long illness.
Born in Laconia, NH, the son of the late Morton and Mildred (St. Cyr) MacKenzie, he lived in Maine, the Caribbean, the West Indies and the last 11 years in Mattapoisett.
He was the former owner and operator the SV Ticonderoga chartering in the Caribbean and the West Indies and performed finish and restoration work on yachts. He was a household painter while living in Mattapoisett.
Ken was an accomplished yachtsman; he organized the 1st and 2nd Mt. Gay Rum Regattas in 1974/75 which evolved into the Classic Yacht Regatta; participated in 12 Antigua Race Weeks; raced in Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Races; as owner/captain of Ticonderoga he was overall winner of 1976 Tall Ships Race Bermuda to Newport; America's Cup Reserve Crew on 12 meter Enterprise; raced in S.O.R.C. on Mistress Quickly 1980/81, made many trans-Atlantic passages and experienced eight survival type storms including Hurricane Gilda; helmsman on Mistress Quickly for 1979 Cowes Week and Fastnet Race a race in which 17 lives and 21 boats were lost; captained Off Soundings and Physalia both 70 foot motor sailers and Lord Jim a 72 foot Alden Schooner.
He served as a quartermaster in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include the love of his life, Mary Lou Manley of Mattapoisett; a son, Trevor MacKenzie of Truckee, CA; 2 daughters, Heather MacKenzie of Bow, NH and Margaret Richardson of Englewood, CO; a brother, Kim MacKenzie of Chelmsford, MA; a sister, Susan Jean MacKenzie of Lime, NH; 4 grandchildren and a nephew.
A Celebration of his Life will be held privately in the future.