July 20, 1932 – March 1, 2026
Wayne Mac Kinnon passed away peacefully at his home in North Bay on March 1, 2026. He really believed people should stay in their own homes as they got older if they could, and we’re thankful he did just that. Dad stayed sharp right up to the end, always following politics and world news. That interest never faded.
Robert Wayne Mac Kinnon-just Wayne to most-was born during the Great Depression here in North Bay, Ontario on July 20, 1932. He was the youngest of six siblings. His parents were Bob (Robert Matthew) Mac Kinnon (June 1, 1888 – July 27, 1932) and Katie (Katherine May) Mc Leod Mac Kinnon (August 7, 1894 – December 7, 1978). Sadly, all his brothers and sisters have passed before him: Kay (Katherine Madeline) Mac Kinnon Ashford (November 6, 1916 – November 22, 2013), Bert (John Robert) Mac Kinnon (November 26, 1918 – September 25, 1997), Dorie (Doris Florence) Mac Kinnon (September 17, 1920 – November 26, 2014), Moody (Muriel Ethel) Mac Kinnon Pendergast (June 25, 1923 – March 13, 2018), and Margie (Margaret Beatty) Mac Kinnon Holder (October 14, 1924 – April 22, 2020).
Wayne grew up at “14” Mc Leod Street in North Bay surrounded by his older brothers and sisters along with cousins and relatives nearby. He went to Mc Phail Street School first and then onto NBCIVS – that’s North Bay Collegiate Institute and Vocational School for those who don’t know. After finishing Grade 13 he trained to be a teacher at North Bay Normal School. His teaching career started in Cobalt during the mid-1950s before coming back home to teach elementary kids here; King George school was one place he worked at too. Eventually he also served as vice-principal.
When he was younger Wayne threw himself into local groups like the Jaycees Service Club and later joined education unions such as the Ontario Public School Men’s Federation plus the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation while standing up for social justice causes along the way. He had fun too – part of The Gateway Gamblers square dance group; curling; hockey – all that stuff kept him busy! Music was another love especially classical tunes alongside opera and operettas.
Wayne married Shirley Anne Wagg on April 14th in 1960 at St. Andrew’s United Church right here in North Bay. They quickly welcomed Karen followed by Laura then Deanna not long after. Rod(dy) came later around ’70 though so it was quite a full house! Dad juggled finishing degrees from University of Western Ontario plus OISE while Mom worked nursing part-time taking care of us all day long really well done there! We made good use of summers off from school with trips visiting family far & wide.
Dad cared a lot about our family history keeping close ties alive whenever possible. Many holidays were spent down east in Ottawa Valley where Grandma Katie grew up , or farther south visiting brothers & sisters living Mississauga , Queenston , Windsor. One summer trip took us all way out east Cape Breton where Dad knocked door-to-door asking about relatives from his father’s side. We still laugh about driving over Magnetic Hill twice!
Later Dad taught English , History , Geography mostly high school level back at Algonquin Composite which was once NBCIVS. Then moved onto being Learning Materials Consultant for Board bringing home films now & then showing us favorites like The Rise And Fall Of The Great Lakes or Paddle To The Sea. Ended career teaching at Chippewa Secondary coaching boys’ cross country running plus joining teachers’ hockey team too. He retired after a solid thirty-six years teaching back in ’87.
In fall ‘92 Dad packed his stuff into a truck heading west to Vancouver’s West End neighborhood. Found nice apartment five minutes walk from Stanley Park & English Bay just off Denman Street with killer views of North Vancouver mountains across water. Walks around Lost
Lagoon inside Stanley Park became favorite pastime since everything else – restaurants grocery stores pharmacies – all within easy walking distance.
He jumped right into community life there joining Scottish Country Dance group plus helping save Mole Hill heritage homes last piece left standing Vancouver block preserved thanks partly because of efforts by local committee including him – proud moment showing visitors these beautiful houses still intact! Visitors loved dropping by apartment #802 aka mini version of old home on Superior Street but way up high with city views – great times sharing laughs together.
Dad dealt with health issues like cancer twice plus open heart surgery while living out west but Mom flew out often staying weeks nursing him back strong again both enjoyed concerts plays found plenty happening around town during those years too – every couple years dad returned Ontario catching Normal School reunions seeing family face-to-face which meant lots even when far apart between visits.
January ‘23 saw Dad move back to Ontario leaving behind beloved West End spot due worsening health concerns though mentally he stayed active keeping tabs worldwide events until later days ended finally grateful for chance sharing time together closely as family forever thankful we got to be part of his life journey.
Wayne leaves behind wife Shirley plus four kids: Karen Taylor (Steven predeceased), Laura Mac K innon(L awren ce Cab ana ), Deanna M ac K innon an Rod M ac K innon(Kath erine Beck ett ) along wit h grandkids Jana , Shannon , Rae , Samuel , Serena , Abigail , Alex , Charlie , Kraig , Logan Ana Andrea an Cassandra. Plus twelve great-grandkids includ ing special lil girl Rory won hearts last few years here Nor th Ba y.
Fam ily want s thank Syl vie Savage pl us staff West Fer ris Nur se Practitioner-Led Clinic alon g wit h North B ay Regional Health Cen ter team fo r pati ent ca re m eet ing Da ds medical needs Also appreci ate Ian J ody Martyn s pl us Mart yn Fun era l Home cr ew s car e com pas sio nate sup port.
If you prefer donation s rath er flow ers pleas e cons ide r Cana dian Centre fo r Policy Alternatives Friends CBC Nor th Ba y Reg ion al Heal th Cent re.
Life ce leb ratio n Will be June thir teen two thousand twenty-six two-thirty afternoon Mart yn Fun era l Home four six four Wyld Str eet Nor th Ba y Re cep tio n fol lows.
“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”.( Hamlet )
