Dad was born in Lucea, in the capital of Hanover, Jamaica, in 1923, the 5th of 8 children to my grandparents Reuben and Jane. After signing up to the RAF in the early days of World War 2, he left for England, where he grafted and rose through the ranks to become the first black sergeant in the history of the force. After the war ended, he met, courted and married Clara Rose and together they raised Jennifer, Naomi and Carlton, my beloved siblings. After losing Rose to cancer in 1973, he met and married my mother, and in 1978, I was born.
My father was a man of simple needs- as long as his family was safe and warm, his car was maintained and pristine, and his garden was neat and tended to, he was a happy man. No matter where in the world we all were, a call home to hear that soft, lilting accent was all we needed to know we were loved, and never far away. He loved to visit his brother Jimmy in Derby, and some of my fondest memories are messing around with my cousins, Henry, Christopher and Andrew.
Dad was a real petrolhead- always watching the Grand Prix on a Sunday, schoolboy scrambling with my brother, and his beloved Triumph Vitesse.... he was always, tinkering, tuning and fixing something. But true peace for him was to be found in his garden. Plants and vegetables were his, and his alone. I've never known flora to respond to anyone like my dad, or his business partner Ken- true men of the earth.
He was also the centre of the family; want to see that famous McKenzie smile? Place a chuckling grandson or granddaughter in his arms. His ability to calm, soothe and entertain was magical to watch. They all loved him, and he in turn loved each and every one.
The last of the true gentlemen- a quiet, well read man, of incredible intelligence and sharp wit. A loving husband, first to Rose, then to my mother Gloria. A proud, instinctive father to my brother, sisters and myself. We had the best dad a father could ask for, and we can take comfort today that he touched the lives of everyone he came across, without agenda or malice.
He was my personal hero, a man I could always turn to for advice, counsel and comfort. It is a year to the day since he left us, and I miss him more now than ever before.
But if there is one phrase that sums him up- it is this;
"He loved all he knew, and knew all he loved"
Miss you dad x
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