Michael William McKenzie

Michael William McKenzie of Endicott died on Tuesday, July 27th at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.   Mike is predeceased by his parents, William and Anna McKenzie, as well as his twin sister, Margaret Steele.  He leaves behind five beautiful daughters, the loves of his life; Michelle, Diane, Carla, Heather and Dawn, as well as 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He also leaves five sisters, Dorothy, Mary-Anne, Kathleen, Nancy, Therese, and his only brother, John, as well as many nieces and nephews, and several dear friends.   Michael lived as an “Army brat“ in Germany after WW2 until he was five, when the family moved back to the United States, settling finally in Endicott in 1958.  He graduated from Union-Endicott in 1964.   He chose a career in law enforcement, serving first with the Johnson City Police Department and later in the corrections department of the Broome County Sheriff’s department.   A single father to his daughters, Mike was the first to rush in to help others and the last to leave. His intelligence and wit were unmatched. He was a writer and a comic, and later in life, a musician, discovering at 62 that he could pick up a guitar and play it. But mostly, he was an artist who sculpted highly detailed figures of things that interested him most. He was also a fine writer, author of “The Legend of Lady Bug,” and “Major Toad,” a fan fiction based on “The Wind in the Willows.” The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses, and staff at Wilson Hospital’s ICU and the palliative care team. All fought valiantly for our precious dad and brother after what proved to be a devastating fall. We are grateful for their tender care.  A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, July 31 at Ogden Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 1061 Chenango St., Binghamton. A private burial was made in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Broome County Humane Society. 

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