We Have Lost Two Good People In Prince George
Monday, January 14, 2013 @ 3:45 AM
Prince George lost two of its finest citizens in the past week and half. Dr Lance Morgan, and Dr Jack McKenzie were people who embraced this city and area and the people returned that affection.
Dr Jack McKenzie, known as Dr Jack had toiled away at his profession going back to the days when house calls were a norm in the practice of medicine. He was considered as the father of family practise in this city. The family practise center bears his name. Since his retirement he had been heavily involved in the Elder Citizens Recreation Association. He was inducted into the Northern Medical Hall of fame in April of 2009.
Dr Jack’s son Gerard is a well known Orthopedic Surgeon, while his daughter is Kathleen Soltis, Acting City Manager. To a person, doctors who have worked alongside of Dr Jack say, he was the pioneer of medicine in this community.
The previous Friday we lost Rev. Lance Morgan, a memorial service will be held in his honour on Saturday January 19th at the 1st Baptist Church in the city.
Rev Lance Morgan will always be remembered by me for his part in bringing about the health care rally in the city. I recall sitting around with Gord Leighton and Glen Parrett wondering who would make the best non political person to act as the chairman of the Health Care rally. Everyone agreed, Lance Morgan was the man. I called him that day and he said that he didn’t have any idea about the plight of health care in the city and he also added “I’m not political”. He was exactly the person that we wanted and he agreed to take on what was to become one of the most important events in the history of this City. True to His character, Rev Lance Morgan never took any credit for what he had done.
Like Dr. Jack McKenzie, Lance Morgan had away about him; they both had the ability to cut to the chase without causing any ripples. They were main stays in PG. They will be missed.
I’m Meisner
Comments
We have lost three. Yesterday, an RCMP member who rode in the COps for Cancer fundraiser for years, died while doing what he loved. Rest in peace, our dear friend. Claimed by the snow gods.
Excellent tribute Ben, only point you missed is Dr. Jack’s other daughter, Andrea McKenzie who owned Transitions Employment Services for many years and helped countless PG citizens seeking a better life in Prince George through both helping them find another job or through re-training them to gain the skills required to find new career paths leading to stable year round employment.
Like her father, she is a kind and gentle soul who fought to improve the quality of life for many of Prince George’s residents
Many people don’t realize that Dr. Jack was the push behind the expansion of the Elder Citizens Recreation Association. He worked hard to make the project happen in June of 2006. Dr. Jack was a man who worked quietly at what he wished to accomplish. There was no bluster there. The Seniors in PG have lost one of their best supporters.
Dr. Jack’s family was beyond important to him. He has an amazing wife, and six successful and accomplished children, not to mention many fantastic grandchildren. To only mention 2 of his children is not only disrespectful to the other 4, but also to Dr.Jack and his wife.
Getting your facts straight and complete should be of foremost importance, especially when writing about amazing people like Dr.Jack.
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