Obituary of Colin MacKenzie
Colin MacKenzie
August 21, 1949 - October 10, 2021
Colin MacKenzie died peacefully in his sleep on October 10, 2021 following a long struggle with Parkinson’s. Colin was born on August 21, 1949, in Portland to Johanna and Duncan MacKenzie. He was the oldest of four children. At the age of 8, Colin began learning the bagpipes from his father, and along with his sister and brother, the MacKenzie family entertained all over Oregon with their Scottish pipes, drums and dancing.
In 1967 he married Bonnie Blyth, a close family friend, fellow performer and dance teacher. After graduating from PSU in 1972, Colin & Bonnie moved to Lake Oswego where they lived for over 50 years.
There he passed on his love of the bagpipes to generations of students. Colin and his students enjoyed many awards and accomplishments during his piping career. He was a member then pipe major of the Blue Heron Bay Pipe Band, the first top rank pipe band in the US. He became a much sought after judge at many bagpiping competitions in the Pacific Northwest.
While in college, Colin began working in the finance industry where he stayed for over 40 years, mostly at Kidder Peabody, working his way up to VP of Operations before his retirement.
When not working or playing the bagpipes, Colin could be found in his beautiful vegetable garden. He also loved the outdoors and his annual fall camping trip to Olallie Lake with his brothers was something he looked forward to all year.
Colin had a wonderful sense of humor and was well-liked by everyone who met him.
Colin is survived by his daughters Holly Kelly and Shona MacKenzie, his son-in-law Mark Kelly, grandsons Torrin and Brennan Kelly, sister Marianna MacKenzie Day, and brothers Peter and Ron MacKenzie. Colin’s wife Bonnie passed away in August.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Colin’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation. A celebration of Colin and Bonnie’s lives will be held in November.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Colin MacKenzie, please visit Tribute Store
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