WESTBOROUGH
Robert Lee Mackenzie, 85, of Westborough, MA, passed away suddenly, Tuesday, January
16th, 2018. He struggled with interstitial lung disease for many years, but was a true fighter
right up until the end. Robert was born in Waltham, MA to Murdock and Bessie Mackenzie.
Robert graduated from Waltham Trade School and several graduate schools. He worked as a
yardmaster on the New York Central Railroad. He was very proud that he was the youngest
yardmaster, ever. He worked for General Electric for 27 years as an electrical mechanic. At
General Electric, he served two terms as Union President and one term as vice president. He
was also the business agent and a steward of the United Electrical Workers of America for 20
years. He loved his country so much that at age16, he attempted to enter the military, was
denied, but tried again and succeeded. He was a proud veteran of the Korean War.
Robert believed in a strong work ethic and stayed young at heart. He worked up until the age of
84 at Dan’s Jeep in Westborough, MA. He kept up to date with today’s technology with
Facebook and texting. He fished and hunted the Maine woods with his son-in-law and friends.
He loved camping, talking by a campfire, being with his kids and grand kids. He even went
tubing on Cobbeseecontee Lake in Maine in his 70s! He was a huge Patriots fan!
Robert belonged to the Siloam Lodge AF & AM Masonic Lodge in Westborough, MA, the
American Legion, Ashland, MA, and the Veteran of Foreign Wars.
Robert is survived by his partner for over 30 years, Francis Jean Blake. He also is survived by
his five children. Linda Faidell, Robert L. MacKenzie Jr., Sharon Clark, Brenda Mackenzie,
Steven J. Mackenzie, and Kimberly Mackenzie who passed in 1991.
Grampy, as he was loving called, had ten grandchildren whom he adored. Steven M.
Mackenzie, Nicholas Mackenzie, Kenny Mackenzie, Jessica Carlson, Garrett and Ali Clark,
Lauren Green and Hailey Arseneau, Rachel Sora, and Christopher Martinez.
Robert is survived by his brother, Murdock MacKenzie, and three sisters, Marguerite
McCoullough predeceased, Jean Arcese, and Pauline Chase, predeceased.
Because Robert loved his country and servicemen and women, in lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations for The House in the Woods, a therapeutic retreat lodge, located in Maine,
for veterans from all over the country. Checks should be written out to The House in the Woods
and sent to: Sharon Clark, C/O A House in the Woods, 155 Dyer Road, Lewiston Maine 04240.

Calling hours will be Friday, January 19th, from 4-7PM, with a Masonic service at 6:45PM, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A funeral will be held at 8:30 AM on Saturday, January 20th, in Church Of The Nativity, 45 Howard Street, Northborough. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Westborough. To leave a condolence please visit Robert’s Book of Memories at www.HaysFuneralHome.com

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