Lieutenant-General Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normall ...

George Allan MacKenzie CMM, CD (December 15, 1931 – September 10, 2012) was a Canadian air force general who served as Commander, Air Command in Canada from 1978 to 1980.

Personal life

George Allan MacKenzie was born in

Kingston, Jamaica Kingston is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long spit (landform), sand spit which connects the town of Por ...

, on December 15, 1931, to George Adam and Annette Louise MacKenzie. He had two siblings, David (Mickey) and Audrey. He attended

Jamaica College Jamaica College (abbreviated J.C. or JC) is a State school, public, Christianity, Christian, secondary school and sixth form for Single-sex education, boys in Kingston, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica. It was established in 1789 by Charles ...

from 1944 to 1948. MacKenzie moved to Canada in 1950 to join the

Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...

, eventually finding his way to

Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

. He was a member of the

Manitoba Club The Manitoba Club is private club in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Established as a gentleman's club in 1874, the Manitoba Club is the oldest private club in Western Canada. History On 16 July 1874, ten men met at the St. James Restaurant in Win ...

and the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba. MacKenzie was married to Valerie Ann, following his first wife, Doris Elliot. George and Valerie had two children together, Michael and Barbara. On September 10, 2012, at the age of 80, MacKenzie died at the

Victoria General Hospital Victoria General Hospital (VGH) is an acute care facility located in View Royal, British Columbia, Canada, a western suburb of Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress ...

in Winnipeg.

Career

MacKenzie began his flying career with

British Overseas Airways Corporation British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was the United Kingdom, British state-owned national airline created in 1939 by the merger of Imperial Airways and British Airways Ltd. It continued operating overseas services throughout World War II ...

in Jamaica, which led to him to move to Canada in 1950 to join the

, where he trained as a pilot.LGen Allan MacKenzie passes away
/ref> After completing officer training and pilot training, he commenced his flying duties in 1952, as a

Flying Officer Flying officer (Fg Offr or F/O) is a junior officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence. Flying officer is immediately ...

. During his career, he commanded a squadron, a base, and the Maritime Air Group. In 1978, MacKenzie was promoted to the role of

, and appointed Commander, Air Command (also known as the Chief of Staff for the

Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Cana ...

). He retired from the Air Force in 1980. In retirement, he joined Gendis Inc. in

, from 1980 to 2002, where he served as Executive Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer, and later President and Chief Executive Officer. He also served a year as President of Sony of Canada, as well as being on the company's Board of Directors. He served as a member of the Regional Advisory Board for

Carleton University Carleton University is an English-language public university, public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1942 as Carleton College, the institution originally operated as a private, non-denominational evening college to se ...

, a Governor of the

Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Commissionaires Canada is a Canadian security firm, originally established to provide employment to ex-servicemen. History Modeled after the British Corps of Commissionaires, the Canadian Corps was formed in 1925 with the opening of offices in M ...

, an advisor to the Association of Canadian Police Chiefs.

Honours

MacKenzie was decorated a Commander of the Order of Military Merit on June 18, 1979, as well as an Officer of the Order of St. John's, and the

Canadian Forces Decoration The Canadian Forces' Decoration (post-nominal letters "CD") is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to t ...

. He was also a Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, and received the

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal may refer to: * Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal (1897) * Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal () or The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal was a commemorative medal ...

. He was appointed the Honorary Chairman of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the

Air Cadet League of Canada The Air Cadet League of Canada is a volunteer organization that provides financial support and oversight to the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. The Air Cadet League owns all of the aircraft used in the Air Cadet Gliding Program. The League is organiz ...

in 2010.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:MacKenzie, Allan Commanders of the Order of Military Merit (Canada) Canadian Forces Air Command generals 1931 births 2012 deaths Military personnel from Winnipeg Jamaican emigrants to Canada People educated at Jamaica College Military personnel from Kingston, Jamaica Sony people Carleton University Recipients of Canadian civil awards and decorations