Elliott Mackey

The Mackey family of San Francisco is deeply saddened to announce the passing of their beloved husband and father Elliott Mackey, age 81, on Sunday July 10, 2022 following a long illness.

The youngest of four children. Elliott was born George Zadina in Omaha Nebraska to James Zadina Sr. and Eugenia Prazan Zadina on May 22, 1941. He attended Creighton University and the University of Arizona Business Schools. Elliott, being the beatnik he was, came to San Francisco in the early 1960s where he frequented the City Lights Bookstore in North Beach, often wearing a beret and driving his 1950s Jaguar. He soon met Donna Bottrell, a nurse native to Canada. They married in October 1965 in Occidental, California, settling in San Francisco to start a family. Anyone who knew Elliott realized he was a natural-born salesman; he used these skills during a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, beginning with Sandoz Laboratories and later with a lengthy career at Boehringer Ingelheim. His business colleagues were an important part of his life, and many remained lifelong companions.

Elliott retired in 1999 and focused his efforts on his publishing enterprise, The Wine Appreciation Guild, Ltd based in San Francisco, California. Elliott’s enthusiasm for this creative business was unmatched and he was a mentor to so many colleagues and friends. He leaves this world with them appreciating his leadership, generosity, and warm heart.

Elliott was a family man and treasured his time with those he loved most. He always had a stash of fireworks to set off for special occasions and enjoyed homebrewing root beer and sarsaparilla with his children when they were young. Weekend ski trips to the Sierras and summers in Sonoma County were particularly special to him and family. He lived his winemaking dream, planting and tending his vineyard on a historic resort he and Donna purchased in the 1960s at the top of Cavedale Mountain in Glen Ellen.

The beauty of the setting brought him much joy and provided a magical place to raise his children.

Elliott is survived by his loving wife Donna, sons Jim and Paul, daughter in law Suzanne, daughter Elizabeth, sisters Gloria Storch and Marie Devery, granddaughters Malena and Marisol Mackey and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. Brother James, and son Matthew preceded him in death. His positive attitude and strong spirit provided our family with great comfort at the end of his long and productive life. A funeral mass and a celebration of life has been arranged for August 26th, 2022, St Brendan’s Catholic Church 10:00 AM. Elliott touched the lives of many with his energy, humor, and storytelling. He is surely missed, and the amount of outpouring is humbling.