Obituary of William Angus McKay

Rev. Dr. William Angus McKay, M.A., Ph. D. April 27, 1914 – December 27, 2007. Bill died peacefully at the Community Nursing Home in Port Perry. Bill was born in Winnipeg, the eldest son of Douglas and Isobel McKay. He is survived by his loving wife, Melba, and his four children: William (Sally Tufts), Elspeth (Paul Deir), Roderick (Marlene Misiuda) and Catherine (Marvin Stevenson); and their children: Megan, Benjamin, Kristen, Andrew, Matthew, Peter, Emily, Jordan, Alex and James; and great grandchildren Ewan, Flavie, Anna, Carter and Jacob. Bill leaves his brother Donald (Thelma); sister-in-law Doreen; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Elspeth Jean and her husband Lister Nevile, and his brother Selkirk James McKay. Bill was a musician, scholar, clergyman, flying instructor, bomber pilot, community activist, university professor, farmer, and loving husband, parent and grandparent. Bill’s education began in Kildonan school, and continued in theology at United College, Winnipeg. It was at university that he met Melba Gishler. Bill worked with others in the United Church to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression in Winnipeg, also ministering to congregations at Hudson and Lac Seul First Nation. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940. Bill and Melba were married in June of 1941. During the Second World War, Bill served as a flying instructor, with Coastal Command in Britain and in Bombay, India, as part of 203 Squadron, RAF. After the war, he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. at University of Toronto. He served at Leaside and Dunbarton-Fairport United Churches, and later taught history at Scarborough College. After retiring, Bill planted an orchard near Port Perry. Bill used his skills and common sense to improve every community in which he lived, putting up a skating rink at Hudson; rebuilding Dunbarton Church after a fire; fundraising for Port Perry Hospital and other projects. He served on school boards in Pickering Township; wrote a history of Pickering Township and was a founder of the Pickering Township Museum as well as the United Church retreat, Five Oaks. Bill was a musician all his life. He strove to bring fine music to all members of his rural churches, while singing in choirs, teaching piano and violin and playing in a recorder group. Bill built and launched his first boat on the Red River as a teenager and enjoyed sailing for decades. Bill McKay had many talents: he could fix a carburetor, play a Bach partita, write a history book – or take a grandchild for an ice cream cone. The family of Bill McKay will receive friends at the WAGG FUNERAL HOME, "McDermott-Panabaker Chapel" 216 Queen Street in Port Perry (905-985-2171) on Saturday, December 29th from 2 – 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. A Service to celebrate his life will be held in the Utica United Church on Sunday, December 30th at 2 p.m. Interment Hillman Cemetery, Utica. If desired, memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation or the Epsom/Utica United Church Memorial Fund. On-line condolences may be left at www.waggfuneralhome.com