Lovingly surrounded by his family, Arthur A. MacKay, peacefully passed on Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Charlotte County Hospital, St. Stephen, NB.
He was born in St. Stephen, NB to the late W. Stewart McKay and Lois (Guptill) McKay.
Art graduated from St. Stephen High School and was involved in a multitude of sports and school activities. He received his B.Sc. degree in biology from UNB and he spent two postgraduate years at McGill University studying mammalian zoogeography.
Art taught at St. Stephen High School, UNB in Saint John, and University of Victoria in BC.
After teaching he returned to Charlotte County, with the idea of building his own business. He created a research company that was involved in coastal surveys of the Bay of Fundy and Passamaquoddy Bay. He was very proud that the findings from this body of work is currently being used by Huntsman Marine Science Centre, as the base line to determine environmental changes, in this place he cared deeply about. With his forward-thinking and determination, he also established the first successful commercial Atlantic salmon aquaculture site in North America.
Art was an artist, writer, environmental and community activist, as well as an entrepreneur and a marine biologist, who sincerely wanted his community to succeed and grow.
He is survived by his wife Margaret (Getchell) and their two children: Kimberly (Cliff) Pendleton and Karen MacKay; grandchildren: Jake Pendleton (Kalila Ross) and Jenessa (Josh) Cook; great-grandchildren: Wesley, Shayne and Flossie; brothers: Rodney (Ruth) MacKay and Richard (Pat) MacKay; sister-in-law Gail MacKay; nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Curtis (Gail) MacKay.
At this time, no funeral service or visitation will be held. Interment will take place at a later date.
For those who wish, donations in memory of Art may be made to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mehanfuneralhome.ca
The family would like to thank the staff of the CCU at the Charlotte County Hospital for their compassionate care.