We are sad to announce the passing of Alexander Brent McKenzie at the age of 63.
He was known by many as a machinist in the Powell River pulp and paper mill, captain with the cadets and commanding officer with the air cadets, a teacher at Max Cameron and Brooks Secondary schools, as well as a member and pilot at the Westview Flying Club. He had a strong passion for art, music and aerobatic flying. He is loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew -
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
~ John Gillespie Magee
