MacKinnon -William Gordon Beedie (Jock) passed away peacefully, after a brief battle with cancer, in the Hanna Hospital on February 22, 2011 at the age of 71 years. Jock was predeceased by his parents: William Gordon (Mac) and Emily, as well as his sisters June and May, father-in-law Edgar, brother-in-laws Mervin, Jack and Myles and daughter-in-law Velma.
Jock is survived by his wife of 46 years, Betty, and his children: Gordon MacKinnon, Joanna (Kenneth) Johnson, Douglas (Lianne) MacKinnon and Kari-Ann (James) Faubion. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Ashton and Byron; Emily and Amanda; Sammi-Jo (Kyle), Blake and Madison; Bailey, Joseph and Nathaniel. Also his sister, Edith Cote; brother-in-law Dale Logelin; mother-in-law Helen Lennox; sisters-in-law, Jane Butler and Marguerite Butler; brother and sister-in-law, Kary and Sheila Butler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jock was born August 26, 1939, in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories to Mac and Emily. He spent his early years living at various outposts in the Northwest Territories. The family moved to Youngstown in 1952 and Jock resided there until his passing. Jock married Betty in 1964 and raised their four children in Youngstown in the same house where he resided until his passing.
Jock worked for Dale’s Esso Service, the school division and eventually Special Areas for 33 years and was also Mayor of Youngstown for 30 years. Jock volunteered for many different organizations over the years all trying to benefit the town and its people. Jock’s first and foremost love was his family. His children and grandchildren were his greatest joy. He loved to teach them to tinker in his garage, build and fix things, and this last fall teaching them to drive in the old truck.
He loved to go and watch his grandchildren play hockey, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, softball, skating, anything they were involved with. Jock had a zest for life and loved to curl, play cards, help others, do sudoku, build projects for his family or his yard and to go watch the Calgary Flames play at the Saddledome or on Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday night.
He enjoyed everything life had to offer. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the Youngstown Community Hall with Chaplain John Armstrong officiating.
If friends so desire, donation may be made to the Youngstown Community Center to be put towards purchasing an air conditioning unit for the hall. Coronation Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements.
