A former MLA of the region has died. Dennis MacKay was 82 when he passed on Aug. 14 2024.
He was born in Edmonton and eventually found his way to the Bulkley Valley in 1981.
MacKay, a member of the Liberal party, represented the electoral district of Bulkley Valley-Stikine in the Legislative Assembly of B.C. from 2001 to 2009.
He served on the Legislative Assembly鈥檚 Select Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs and Crown Corporations and was a member of the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy and Government Operations. He was also a member of the Northern Caucus committee and is Caucus Liaison to the Minister of State for Mining during his time as an MLA.
Before entering politics, he worked as a private investigator, a provincial coroner, and a security patrol agent. After serving as a Regular Member of the RCMP from 1961 to 1989, he performed general policing duties, spent two years with the RCMP's Musical Ride, worked in the General Investigation Section, and served as Prosecutor and Detachment Commander.
MacKay declined to run in 2009. NDP Doug Donaldson won his seat in the following election. The riding has been an NDP stronghold since then.
Mackay also served as the Smithers Community Services executive director. He was a member of Northwest Community College board, and represented this board at the Advanced Education Council of BC. Dennis also served as an arbitrator for the Timber Harvesting Contract Mediators and Arbitrators. Dennis has volunteered as an International Ski Federation technical delegate, minor league baseball coach, hockey coach and Lions Club International secretary.
In 2015, he climbed nearly 20,000 feet to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, for charity with his daughter and granddaughter.
He leaves behind his wife, Edith of almost 58 years, two children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at the legion in Smithers on Sept. 21.
