Whitney Pier
It is with deep regret that we, the family, announce the passing of Wallace ‘Wally’ Gregory MacKenzie. He passed peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, surrounded by family.
Born in 1944, Wally grew up in Dominion until he married the love of his life, Sherry (Kyte) in 1966. Since then, he was a proud resident of Whitney Pier. Wally worked tirelessly for many grocery stores in Cape Breton, starting at Mendelson’s on Stirling Road in Glace Bay and ending his career at the Glace Bay Co-Op.
Wally’s retirement evolved into a new favourite pastime. He loved sitting on our front step at all hours, having a cigarette and chatting with everyone in the neighbourhood. It is incredible how many close friendships were made, just by sharing a few stories on the step. Until his health began to deteriorate, the folks on our street could count on Wally to come with his snowblower. If he knew a neighbour worked backshift, he cleared their driveway before they came home in the morning.
Years ago, during a multi-day power failure, Wally boiled water on his barbecue and delivered it to the neighbours in time for their morning coffee/tea each day. It seems simple, but that act of support sums up who he was and how he treated others. For any task or advice, it was often stated in homes throughout the neighbourhood, “We better check with Wally.”
His creative ingenuity can be found throughout the home he loved. Our Dad was both practical and artistic.
Wally was the youngest and last surviving of a large family of boys. He is predeceased by his parents, Mary and Dan Murdock and brothers, Leo, Joey, Raymond, Roddy, and John Hugh. The MacKenzie boys didn’t get together often through the years but when it happened it was always an event filled with incredible stories and memories.
Our Dad had a special connection with Mom’s late parents, Paul and Fran Kyte and the entire Kyte family. When Dad took ill last week, Mom’s sister, Kay and her husband, Butch (Art) dropped what they were doing to be by his side. We are grateful for their love and support, but especially, for the stories of their fun times together over the decades. We know that everyone on the Kyte side of the family loved our Dad.
Back in 2016, when Mom and Dad celebrated their 50th anniversary in Ontario, many of their relatives, some that they rarely get to see, made an incredible effort to spend time with them. Over the years, many of them also enjoyed Wally and Sherry’s hospitality when they visited Cape Breton. Dad thoroughly enjoyed these visits and was happy to share a meal or provide a room to anyone who wanted to visit.
Our Dad was proud of his children and grandchildren. It’s surprising how much his neighbours and friends know about all of us. Everyone we meet says how much he talked about us. His grandchildren, Stephanie, Adam, Sarah, Lex, and his great-grandchildren, Grace, and Liam, will all miss him and remember his kindness, his sense of humour, and his ability to turn a simple story into an epic tale.
Wally’s children, David (Nancy Roberts), Tom (Danielle LeBlanc), and Cathy (Brad MacLennan) owe him so much. Our Mom, Sherry, will miss him dearly. All of his friends and great neighbours know MacLeod Street will never be the same. Our Dad led a good life. He was a strong and authentic man, and we are grateful for his wisdom and guidance. We are as proud of him as he was of us.
Join us for a small celebration of Wally’s life on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Polish Village in the Pier. Drop-in between 2-4 p.m. to share a story or two with us.
In lieu of flowers, we would ask that you consider making a donation in memory of Wally to a charity of your choice.
Thank you to the ICU staff at the CBRH for your professionalism and kindness. A very special thank you to Kevin Moules and Kevin MacNeil for helping our parents.
Cremation is entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Please accept our deepest Sympathies for your loss. We were so sorry to hear of Wally’s passing. From: Brick and Sally Brophy
Please accept our sincere condolences at this difficult time. From: Brent and Clare Brophy
Dearest Sherry, David, Tommy, Cathy and families,
We are beyond heartbroken of Wally’s passing. Truly one of the best neighbours anyone could wish to have. No matter the time of day or night if we looked out our window ,Wally was on the step. It has been that way since 40 years. Never a worry because we knew he kept watch of MacLeod Street. We will remember him always , and miss him beyond words!
May he rest in peace.
Such a beautiful tribute to your Dad. Cathy and Brad and your family, you are in our prayers. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Patti and Jason
I am very sad to hear this. Wally was funny and kind. He was nothing but good to me in my teenage dirtbag years.
Our deepest condolences Wally will be missed but never forgotten
my thoughts and prayer’s are with you Sherry abd family.
Sending love and hugs to you all from Ontario where memories of Uncle Wally are flowing! I loved spending time with him and Aunt Sherry because they always made us feel welcome and connected us to family in a way nobody else could. He will be deeply missed by all of us.
Sherry, David, Tommy and Cathy,
My deepest condolences, the world just lost one of God’s best people. Sherry, I think I can speak for all of us who grew up with David, Tommy or Cathy…..We all felt like family in your home and Wally was one of the reasons we were there so much. His stories, smile and overall positive attitude will be missed. May he rest in peace and I hope you all realize how much he meant to everyone who knew him.
Oh Sherry I am so very sorry to hear of Wally’s passing 💔He watched out for my Dad ( Cubie ) over the years calling us when he wondered up the hill or picking him up ‼️‼️ Wally was a Great Man he will not be forgotten by Neighbours and Friends ‼️‼️ 💔💔💔💔💔💔 Love Dorothy ❤️❤️❤️
I was able to “keep in touch” with Wally and Sherry through my sister and brother-in-law. He was much respected. My condolences on his passing. May he rest in peace.
Sherry and family. We were so sorry to learn of Wally’s passing. We will keep you all in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Condolences to all of Wally’s family. We grew up on the same street in Dominion though I’m a few years younger. It’s hard to lose a spouse, or a parent no matter the age. May Gods strength be with all of you during this difficult and painful time.
My deepest sympathy to Sherry, Tom, Dave and Cathy. Wally and Sherry live directly next door to me, and my mom and dad before me. He was absolutely the best of the best neighbor you could ever want to have. We spent many an hour chatting on his door step about everything and anything. He was always there with the snow blower or lawn mower before I even got out of bed. He kept an eye on the whole neighborhood, If you needed a tool or help with anything, Wally was always eager to help. I’m really going to miss Wally, he was not just my neighbor he was a very very good friend, as are all the members of the Mackenzie and Kyte family. I will miss our conversations on almost every subject. All the neighbors on MacLeod street adored Wally as I did, he was truly a great man with much wisdom. Good bye my friend, thank you for everything. The knowledge you passed onto me will always be my treasured gift. May you rest in piece my friend 🙏
Dave, Tom and extended family, so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Sending our condolences to you all.
Denise & Kenny Coombs (Dee Dee Murphy)
Sorry for your great loss. I met Wally at the little Italian church and we became instant friends. I to grew up near MacLeod street and I knew everyone there. I remember taking him out to the steel plant site on tour and I am pretty sure that made his day. By the sounds of all these condolence Wally was well liked and if you ever met him you would know why
Rest in peace my friend
Cathy I am so sorry for your loss. Your father seems like a wonderful individual. Lots of wonderful memories to cherish!
Dear Cathy and family,
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences for your loss.
Keeping you in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.
May you be at peace as you cherish all the wonderful memories of who your Dad was.
Sherry, Dave, Cathy, Tom, my deepest sympathy on the passing of Wally. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I met Wally several times when I visited my Sister Millie, Wally and Sherry were her neighbors. Millie thought very highly of them and Wally was always there to give her a hand., unfortunately Millie passed away Feb 14 very suddenly. I hope they’re both sitting on a step enjoying a coffee and a cigarette! Thank you Sherry for your friendship to our Sister!
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your Family!
The Currie Girls! Camilla, Donna and Sara
So sorry for your loss.
Dear Sherry and Family , please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Wally , he was a great man , I know you will surely miss him , remembering the good times during our working years . Love and prayers Wally rest well. Laurier and Betty Wells and Family.
Sherry and family,
My heart breaks for you and your family. Walter always walked by the house or drove by and always had a big smile on his face and a wave. I looked forward to seeing him several times a day. Every morning on my way to work at 6 am Walter would be sitting on the step and he’d give a big smile and wave. He was always asked how the kids were doing. Macleod street has suffered a huge loss with the loss of such an amazing man. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you in this difficult time.