Ian MacKay
1924-01-17 2021-10-14
Ian "Tom" Mackay passed away at the age of 97 bringing to an end a life well lived. He leaves behind his much-loved sister, Henrietta Goplen, his daughter Tara (Alan) Pentney, his son Ian Cole (Sandi) Mackay, grandchildren Alana Campbell and Jon Pentney and great-grandchildren Cohen and Mayson Pentney and Madeleine Campbell as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Flora Mackay, his brothers Jim, Bill and Craig and his son Richard Mackay.
After service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII, he returned to his hometown of Saskatoon and attended the University of Saskatchewan and obtained his B.Sc. in Geological Engineering. He then attended the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, earning a doctoral degree in the same field. During his long and diverse career, Ian and his family had the opportunity to live in many locales both in Canada and abroad in Venezuela with Standard Oil and Kuwait, where he worked as an advisor to the Minister of Oil and Gas. In 1968, the family returned to Canada for good, settling in Calgary where Ian lived and worked in the banking and private oil and gas sector until his passing. Ian was awarded a Fellowship in the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Colorado School of Mines Melville F. Coolbaugh Memorial Award, the Colorado School of Mines Medal and the Bedford Road Collegiate Institute Hall of Honor Award (2008). He was a life member of the Calgary Petroleum Club.
Family share fond memories of Dad (or "Uncle Tom" to so many) skiing at Panorama, hosting family gatherings and his love for lovingly tending to small babies and toddlers. He shared many stories of his days in the Fleet Air Arm, his love for playing hockey and insights into a life of travel and adventure. Until the age of 90, he could downhill ski with the best of them, golf 18 holes every day of the week and walk to and from the office daily.
Education was his legacy as he ensured the next generations had the opportunity to learn and study. He was always very appreciative that as a veteran of the Canadian military he was given the opportunity to attain a post-secondary education that led to a diverse and satisfying career. At his request, there will be no service.
After service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII, he returned to his hometown of Saskatoon and attended the University of Saskatchewan and obtained his B.Sc. in Geological Engineering. He then attended the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, earning a doctoral degree in the same field. During his long and diverse career, Ian and his family had the opportunity to live in many locales both in Canada and abroad in Venezuela with Standard Oil and Kuwait, where he worked as an advisor to the Minister of Oil and Gas. In 1968, the family returned to Canada for good, settling in Calgary where Ian lived and worked in the banking and private oil and gas sector until his passing. Ian was awarded a Fellowship in the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Colorado School of Mines Melville F. Coolbaugh Memorial Award, the Colorado School of Mines Medal and the Bedford Road Collegiate Institute Hall of Honor Award (2008). He was a life member of the Calgary Petroleum Club.
Family share fond memories of Dad (or "Uncle Tom" to so many) skiing at Panorama, hosting family gatherings and his love for lovingly tending to small babies and toddlers. He shared many stories of his days in the Fleet Air Arm, his love for playing hockey and insights into a life of travel and adventure. Until the age of 90, he could downhill ski with the best of them, golf 18 holes every day of the week and walk to and from the office daily.
Education was his legacy as he ensured the next generations had the opportunity to learn and study. He was always very appreciative that as a veteran of the Canadian military he was given the opportunity to attain a post-secondary education that led to a diverse and satisfying career. At his request, there will be no service.