Agriculturist.
Born at Scotsburn, Nova Scotia on 14 January 1888, he attended the Pictou Academy. After teaching school for two years, he enrolled in an agricultural course at Truro. After graduation he attended the Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph and graduated in 1911. He taught agriculture and science at Pearson's Academy at Walla Walla, Washington.
In June 1912, he returned to Ontario and was appointed an agricultural representative for Bruce County, based at Walkerton, and remained in the position for 8½ years. He was appointed Assistant Director of Extension Service for Manitoba in January 1921, rising to Director of Extenson in 1923, holding the position until retirement in 1954.
He was one of the first directors of the Canadian Council on Boys and Girls Club and was its President for two years. He was a charter and honorary Life Member of the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists, and a Life Member of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, Western Canadian Society for Horticulture, Canadian Society of Rural Extension, Manitoba Horticultural Association, and Winnipeg Horticultural Society.
In 1914, he married Annie Maude (1886-1937) and they subsequently had three children: Catherine M. MacKay (wife of ? Wiggins) and Madge R. MacKay (wife of ? George), and Donald H. MacKay. In 1970, he lived at 293 Bartlet Avenue. He was a member of the Masons (Fort Garry Lodge) for over 40 years and a member and elder of Riverview United Church.
He died at the St. Boniface Hospital on 12 November 1979 and was buried in the Elmwood Cemetery.
Death registration [Maude MacKay], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Obituary [Mrs. Norman Mackay], Winnipeg Tribune, 7 August 1937, page 6.
History of Manitoba Agricultural Extension Staff 1913-70 by Manitoba Agricultural Representatives Association, 1970, pages 112-113.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 13 November 1979, page 53.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 20 April 2026
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