Obituary of Joseph MacKinnon

Joseph E. “Ed” MacKinnon, passed away with his family by his side, on Thursday morning, December 20, 2012. The beloved husband of 54 years of Helen (Teas) he was 80 years old. Ed was born in Waltham. He was the son of Canadian Immigrants the late Joseph and Mary MacKinnon. Ed was raised and educated in Watertown and Newton and was a graduate of Newton High School. After graduation from High School he was drafted in the U. S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. Ed was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After the war Ed went on to receive his Degree from Boston University. He had a successful career as a Systems Analyst working for such companies as RCA and ACSI in Burlington. Ed had a passion for Golf and played in a Wednesday golf league in Cape Ann. After golfing the group would stop at Woodman’s and other local Essex restaurants for clams and a few spirits. He had his pilot’s license and in his younger years belonged to the Kiwi Flying Club. Ed was a devote Catholic and a member of St. Malachy’s Church. Ed and Helen were very involved in the Church. He was a Eucharistic Minister, was a member of the social committee and before his health began to fail you could find Ed vacuuming the carpets of the church. Ed was an avid gardener and was known for having the best “home grown tomatoes”. His grandchildren wouldn’t eat a tomato unless it came from “Grampy’s Garden”. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. Ed will be remembered for his sense of humor, love of family and faith. Ed was the beloved husband of 54 years of Helen L. (Teas). He was the loving father of Edward J. & his wife Lorie of Sandown, NH, Stephen G. & his wife Karen of Haverhill and Catherine M. Moore & her husband Michael of East Kingston, NH. Brother of the late Mary I. Enterkin. Devoted and proud Grampy of 8. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, Dec. 24 at 9:30 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, Burlington at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday 2-5 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ed’s name may be made to St. Malachy Parish Memorial Fund, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803. Eulogy written by Cathy, Ed & Steve Our dad....a man loved by so many. A man who's spirit was too big to be contained. It spilled over and you couldn't help but be drawn to him, his beautiful and endless smile. His humor...he had a way to make anyone who he was with, feel special. As a father they don't come any better. We feel incredibly blessed. Words could never come close to expressing the love in our hearts we will always have for him. He will be remembered by us as a supportive, kind and loving father. And one incredibly fun guy to have around. . As a grandfather he behaved younger than the kids. The kids actually had to watch him. He was always teaching them things, where we as parents, would just have to shake our heads and say “OH GRAMPY” We wouldn’t be mad, surprised, it was just Grampy. Just so you know, if we left the kids with Gramps, we would always make sure, nana was going to be close by. . They say you know a man by the company he keeps. Well, all of you here should have a smile on your face because you are one of them. Trust me when we say, he had a nice word to say about each and every one of you. He loved you, and you brought much joy to him. We thank you for that. . And of course. Behind every great man there is a great women. Our mom the “organizer”. She was the perfect balance for my dad’s “care free spirit”, a match made in heaven. . It is often customary to close with a poem. But today I’d like to share a gift that was given to us. One that we have always been given, perhaps just not seen, because we have been bathed in it all our lives. Today, in the flesh we continue to receive this gift from our mother. From our father we keep this gift forever in our hearts. As he lay in bed over the last few, very difficult weeks of his time here on earth, our father, with his voice, would speak, Honey -- Honey. With his hand, a gentle grasp. Instantly the response from our mother, I’m here Ed, his grasp filled with our mother’s hand. Fear and pain replaced with peace and comfort. All through the grace and beauty of our mother’s embrace. And there…the smile on my father’s face. The gift, unconditional love, both given and received. This gift I’m sure, he shared with all of you here today, those he knew and could not make it, and who have passed before him.... He loved all of us..... Thank you. .