John MacKenzie

July 14, 1941 - October 27, 2017

John Campbell MacKenzie died, after a brief illness, on Friday, October 27, 2017, surrounded by his family.

John was born July 14, 1941 in Denver, Colorado, the second of his father’s thirteen children. He moved with his parents back to their native city of San Francisco in 1946 where he lived for the remainder of his life. John was a graduate of Saint Ignatius High School, the University of San Francisco, and received a law degree from the USF School of Law. He was a long-standing member of the California Bar Association. John served his country during the Vietnam war years as a member of the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. Following his military service, John worked for many years as a Public Defender in Alameda County. Afterwards, he also worked for the United States Postal Service.

John was predeceased by his mother Marguerite (nee Cooke), father, Robert C. “Sarge” MacKenzie, stepmother, Margaret Jeanne (nee McFarlane), and brothers Lawrence, Robert, Michael, Edward, David, and sister, Mary Stroth. He is survived by his remaining siblings Thomas (carol), Joseph, Marguerite (Robert Finkle), Stephen (Cyndi), Anne and Catherine aka “Kitty” (Ron Proia), as well as in-laws Neill Stroth, Lynda and Cris MacKenzie, cousins Peter McGee (Ethyl), Steve Mannion, and Dan (Cherie) Mannion, and numerous nephews and nieces.

John had a strong lifelong belief in his Catholic faith, and was the quintessential family man. Having had no children of his own, John was always the first to step forward in times of need, whether it involved life threatening health issues, disabilities, or other challenges. He helped both his parents and siblings, providing moral, financial, or material support when needed. Of course, as is the case in some instances, few people, even many of his own family members, ever knew of these good deeds and the assistance that John had provided those individuals during their times of need. John enjoyed a lifelong interest in history, politics, and current events, as well as in sports, following his hometown 49ers, Giants, and Warriors, as well as the local college and high school teams.

Friends may call at St. Cecilia’s Church, 2555 17th Avenue, San Francisco, Wednesday, November 8th where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. and the funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 9th, at 11:00 a.m. Committal, Holy Cross Cemetery.