Obituary For Jock Mackenzie, My Dad.

 The article was published in the Palm Coast Observer this week.

 Wendell C. “Jock” MacKenzie

Jock MacKenzie, 88, of Palm Coast, Florida passed away Monday, April 7 of pneumonia. He was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada on May 11, 1925, to Evelyn and Charles MacKenzie. Jock proudly served in the US Army Infantry and fought in the Pacific Theater in World War II where he was decorated with the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor.

He was married to the late Genevieve MacKenzie in 1947 in Berlin, NH. They lived in Berlin for several years and then moved to Dover, NH and resided there for many years before moving to Palm Coast, FL in 1997. Jock was a sports radio broadcaster. He started his broadcasting career with the Berlin Maroons hockey team. He worked for radio station WMOU. He advanced to WTSN in Dover, NH where he formed the University Sports Network. He served as the voice of UNH hockey and football for over 35 years. He later donated the network to the University. He was a member of both the UNH Sports Hall of Fame and Dover Sports Hall of Fame. He received the prestigious Profile of Service Award from UNH. He also worked with members of the Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox.

 Jock received the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Distinguished Service Award in 1959 and 1962. His career included management for radio stations WMOU in Berlin, NH, WTSN in Dover, NH and retired in 1992 after becoming part owner of WTSN. His famous tagline at WTSN was “Next to religion sports contributes more to the American way of life”. He was named Dover Citizen of the Year by the Dover Chamber of Commerce for his efforts to construct the original Dover ice arena and received two keys to the city. He was inducted in the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey in 2003.

In Palm Coast, he wrote golf columns for the Palm Coast Observer and the Flagler Palm Coast News Tribune where he shared his passion for golf. He also worked closely with Grand Reserve and The Grand Club and Cypress Knoll Golf Course doing promotion for the golf courses. He also wrote his own online blog.

He is survived by four children Sally Horneck, (Craig) of Saratoga Springs, NY; Wendy Allen of Bristol, RI; Scott MacKenzie (Judy Mazzella) of Palm Coast, FL; and Mary Beth MacKenzie (Kathy Gerrity) of West Hills, CA; four grandchildren Holly Fitzgerald, Todd Horneck, Thomas Allen, Caitlin Allen and two great grandchildren Hunter Fitzgerald and Kailyn Horneck; His two sisters Margaret Berry, Durham, NH, and Trudy (Clyde) MacDonald, N. Hampden ME. His only brother Carl MacKenzie predeceased him. He will be missed by his many friends and colleagues.

Services will be held on Tuesday, April 29 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive, Palm Coast at 11 AM. Services will be held at a later summer date in Dover, NH. Burial will be at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to The Friends of Men’s Ice Hockey, Donations can be mailed to The UNH Foundation Inc., Elliott Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Also, please see his online blog http://palmcoastflgolf.blogspot.com.

The Jacket Of A Soldier

One of the most cherished items that a soldier will have forever is the jacket he wore while fighting in combat in the Pacific theater of war.

This jacket was meaningless at the time, but one of pride now. It wasn't meant to be on display. It was a major part of a battle against the Japanese as I went from New Guinea with the first of our troops who invaded the shores of the Philippines. They were well ahead of heralded principals who speak to this day of special leaders. But in truth, our soldiers had already fought our way foot by foot on Philippine land. I thought you'd enjoy reading this. 

In addition, when you see someone in the armed services who serves to protect our country, please don't be shy, speak up and thank them. You'll feel good for doing so and you'll make the day of a stranger that much brighter too.  

                                

A Man Who Whacks Up The Pine Courses of Pine Lakes.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SPORTS!!!

By Jock MacKenzie – twice voted one of 50 best radio sports broadcasters in the United States.

A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow.If any words could describe a superb golfer, it would have to be that of John Sbordone, who whacks up the Pine Courses of the Pine Lakes string in Palm Coast.

In the year’s I’ve known Sbordone, it was that of a teacher, a highly knowledgeable person who spent his time with many on the stage and does to this day. Even though his golf is always Cypress, I found him one day all by himself at the Pine Course, just sitting their and enjoying life as it should be. My eyes popped and I had the enjoyment all by myself.I wondered, how does this wonderful, dedicated and talented man be alone at a golf layout he rarely plays but their he was, enjoying the site, marveling the golf layout so many of us enjoy.

Sbordone, who is truly a first class finisher on or off the golf course, adds to his golf skills week after week. Then he goes about teaching students the skills they should use, how students on the stage should perform, never a spoken word about golf. This fascinating man can bring young people off the street, the young who want to perform as he does the regular Palm Coast people and make them happier than all get out.

Sbordone’s life is the stage. His sideline is golf. To the rest of us he is a hero. If you are a Palm Coaster and never known how to perform call John Sbordone. You will just have spoken with one of the finest gentlemen in the United States.

Yes, I have known John Sbordone over tons of years and can tell you truthfully he is the best, the talented golfer who is equally good on the stage or off it. John Sbordone, who offers stage lessons ten times per week, a special talent who will cater to all Palm Coasters who want to perform on his stage or your stage. Trust me. When meeting John Sbordone, you have just met the perfect gem in the United States!