James "Jim" Mackay
We were saddened to read in this morning’s Royal Gazette (27th June 2022) about the death of our old friend and former colleague, James “Jim” Mackay, at the age of 87. Born in Glasgow in 1935, Jim served in the Bermuda Police from July 1957 - January 1969 and eventually settled in the U.S.
According to the Royal Gazette notice (CLICK HERE to view the notice), Jim passed away on 4th June 2022 after a short illness.
Jim served in the Bermuda Police for 11 years, from July 1957 to January 1969, after having spent 3 years in the Royal Engineers.
Jim would have attended the Mill Meece Police Training College in Staffordshire prior to arriving on Island. He was first posted to Central Division (Hamilton) and transferred to Operations (Traffic) in 1959, before becoming a member of the Dog Section in 1960 for which he attended a Dog Handlers Course at Hendon. Following a further spell in Central Division he was posted in 1966 to Operations in the Police Garage.
Jim was popular and efficient member of the Police with a good sense of humour, and our old friend and colleague, Mike Burke, who worked with him in Central Division when Jim was duty driver, recalls that whenever they attended domestic complaints, Jim woiuld always prefer Mike to knock on the door first, no doubt because with his strong Scottish brogue he would have had difficulties making himself understood!
We offer our sincere condolences to his longtime companion, Judy Burrows, his son Andrew Mackay and daughter Suzanne (Mackay) Wilson; as well as five grandchildren Seth, Rory and Finn Wilson; Chiara and Braydon Mackay.
After leaving the Bermuda Police, Jim worked with British Airways and then moved to the United States in the early 1980's and became an active member of the Salem and Nashua Scottish Country Dancers. Jim was an avid sailor and collector of model sailboats.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends for his great stories and humor. Donations in memory of Jim may be made to VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant St, Concord, NH 03301. No services will be held at this time but there will be a private interment of ashes later.