Thomas (Tom) Alexander MacKay A.N.S.C.A.D.

Tom MacKay passed away in Halifax on Sunday, June 18.

Born on June 18, 1935, he was predeceased by his parents, Vernon and Harriet MacKay (MacKay); brother, Harold; brother-in-law, Clarence (Young).

He is survived by his devoted friend, J. Claude Henry Ferland; his sister, Doris Young; niece, Joan (Young-Maltby) (Allan); nephew, Gordon Young (Carol); Harold’s wife Barbara (Peterborough); and several nieces and nephews.

He was raised in Pictou, and following a brief career in banking, he pursued a four year study of Fine Arts at The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Upon graduation, he was asked to join the faculty where he taught for several years.

In 1965 Tom took an exhibition of 35 paintings of local artists to London. Subsequent to this exhibit, he was offered a one man show at The Commonwealth Institute, and also represented Canada at The Intentional Conference of the Professional Training of the Artist sponsored by UNESCO at The London University, with receptions at the Royal Order of Goldsmiths, and The Tate Gallery.

Tom soon took up a Federal commission, the largest in Atlantic Canada at the time. For two years, he devoted much of his creative energy toward the composition of his work: a sculptured mural of unglazed clay, entitled “Growth”, measuring ten by twelve feet, and assembled in square-foot blocks.

As an artist and educator, Tom worked with a variety of media, including watercolours, clay, weaves and textiles, but his primary output has been in oil painting. His “gifts a colourist” were very early on recognized by the esteemed Oxford critic Martin Kemp. Tom’s mixed media work, “Landscape in Motion” formed part of The Nova Scotia Pavilion in Expo ’67, in Montreal. Its companion piece “Rock Pond with Reflected Sun” is held in the permanent collection of Acadia University.

Recognizing a need for art instruction in public schools, Tom was appointed Director of Art Education for The Board of Commissioners in Halifax. A comprehensive program was presented to fifty schools comprising of grades 4 to twelve.

Tom returned to Pictou and continued teaching privately from his studio in New Glasgow for nearly two decades, where many students enjoyed his teaching, and sense of humour!

During this period, he was co-proprietor, and together with Claude Ferland, completely refurbished The Braeside Inn, hosting such notable guests as Princess Anne, and the Lord of Provost of Glasgow. (As a thank you, she treated her hosts to a memorable tour of Scotland.) As an avid traveller, Tom travelled in Europe, South America, Hawaii, and Mexico.

The family would like to thank all staff who worked with Tom at Shannex Parkstone Enhanced Care, at Parkland; (and a special thanks to Princess Lane); the staff on 5B at The Victoria General in Halifax; and many thanks to Dr. Morash and Dr. Greg Bailey for their care and compassion.

There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be held at Pictou United Church, on Sunday, June 25, at 1 o’clock, with a reception to follow in the church hall. A private family gathering will be held at the graveside at a later date.

Donations may be made to The SPCA in Tom’s name.