James “Jamie” Douglas Mackie
June 3, 1950 – October 4, 2014
Jamie passed on as peacefully and gently as he lived, at 5:38am on Saturday, October 4th at the Lady Minto Hospital Palliative Ward, with a loving hospice volunteer at his side. Left to mourn Jamie’s passing are his son Justin Mackie in Edmonton, his mother Mercy (Kathleen) Mackie and his sister Carol Anne, both of Montreal, as well as many dear friends on Salt Spring and throughout North America. Special thanks go out to Dennis Marshall, ‘Buddha’ Jim MacNamara, and Erin Jory, who assisted Jamie in his final days, along with the caring staff at Lady Minto Hospital.
You may have seen or heard Jamie playing his old National steel guitar at the Fall Fair in 2012, or possibly near Creekside in front of Barb’s, since he busked there often. You may not have been aware that Jamie built guitars, repaired many over the years, and taught guitar and music theory to many students. His musical knowledge was incredible.
Born in Montreal, and predeceased by his father James, Jamie started his musical journey as a drummer, playing gigs at his high school and around Montreal as a teenager. He went on to attend Fine Arts, learning portraiture, and became a talented artist and photographer. Jamie toured and played music over the years, and Jamie’s love of guitar blossomed. Jamie could talk about anything with authority, having a vast knowledge of philosophy, religion, Wiccan/Pagan culture, quantum physics, music, fiction and non-fiction, and computers. Jamie worked as a web designer and administrator, chef, music teacher, daycare provider, photo journalist, and guitar builder. He was an avid reader, and could be seen walking Rainbow Road with his guitar on his back and a book in his hand.
Jamie had a compassionate and gentle nature which continued throughout his two-year battle with cancer, culminating in his final weeks in the hospital.
Jamie listened to Jesse Cook’s “Gravity” on his final day while in the hospital. Music was part of Jamie’s soul, right to the end of his life in this realm. “In My Life” by the Beatles was the song Jamie wanted to have played at his memorial.
We will miss you Jamie; play on sweet man.
A gathering of remembrance will be announced at a later date, possibly to be held on October 31st, Jamie’s new year (Samhain), at a location to be determined. Contact Dennis at 250-537-9298 if you would like to be involved.