May 7, 1942 – August 14, 2022
Dr. John H. MacKenzie, age 80, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away at Lowell General Hospital on Sunday, August 14, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Janice R. (Whitaker) MacKenzie with whom he enjoyed 54 years of marriage.
He was born in Malden, MA on May 7, 1942 and was the son of the late Archibald A. and Eleanor I. (Johnson) MacKenzie.
John was a graduate of Reading High School, class of 1960. He continued his education at Merrimack College, then earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Massachusetts College of Optometry. He owned an independent optometry practice in Lowell and Chelmsford, providing vision care to our community for nearly 50 years. He retired in the fall of 2018 to pursue his shared love of travel with Jan.
In addition to his lengthy career, he was a dedicated husband and father. His long list of hobbies included camping, hiking, swimming, photography, listening to his 50’s records, working out at the ‘Health Club’, spending time at Newfound Lake, taking late afternoon strolls with Jan and their dog(s), and mixing his signature Orange Bowl Martini cocktail for family & friends. He was an active member of All Saints Church, serving on the Vestry, Rector Search Committee, and as Acolyte Director, for several years. He also held volunteer posts at Chelmsford Swim and Tennis Club and served on the Reading High School Reunion Committee. He could often be found poolside, or in the stands or along the sidelines of his children’s and grandchildren’s numerous sporting events. At weddings, you could always find John on the dancefloor, showing off his swing dance moves.
In addition to his loving wife, John is survived by his 5 daughters, Robin MacKenzie of Chelmsford, Kristina Green of Chelmsford, Pamela Morris and her husband Jeffrey of Holden, Lauren Stienecker and her husband Christopher of Derry, NH, and Kimberly Cunio of Derry, NH; his 8 grandchildren, Logan & Zander Green and their father Glen, Damon & Camden Morris, Abigail & Shawn Stienecker, and Shyloh Weatherbee & Kenzie Cunio and their father John; his sister, Paula (MacKenzie) Sargent and her husband David of Wakefield; his brother-in-law Curtis Whitaker of Windsor Locks, CT; his sister-in-law Stacey (Whitaker) Tinkham and her husband Gordon, Jr. of Templeton; as well as several nieces and their families, and several close lifelong friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, August 17th from 4pm to 7pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 11am at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Billerica Rd., Chelmsford. Kindly gather at the Church. Interment will follow in Pine Ridge Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/memorial.
