1926
Colin
2018
Colin PhD
September 21, 1926 — August 28, 2018
Age 91, of Bryn Mawr, PA on August 28, 2018.
Beloved husband of the late Ann N. MacKay; loving brother of Patrick MacKay and his wife Jackie; and dear brother-in-law of Nadeene MacKay.
Also survived by his nieces and nephew Coleen MacKay, Neil MacKay Jr., Kathy MacKay, Lin MacKay, Kelli MacKay, Dorothy Ann Higgins, Ellen Whitaker, and Donna Zeitter and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his brother, Neil MacKay, Sr.
Colin grew up surrounded by his large Italian and Irish/Scottish family in Waterbury, Connecticut.
He attended Catholic schools and later went to the University of Notre Dame.
He was drafted into the Navy in 1944, but when World War II ended, he was able to finish his undergraduate work, graduating in 1950.
From there he went to the University of Chicago, with another break to serve on a navy cruiser in the Mediterranean during the Korean War.
After receiving his Ph.D. in 1956, he took a "temporary" job at Haverford College as a chemistry professor and ended up staying for 49 years.
While at Haverford he also served as provost from 1979-1980.
Colin was curious and adventurous.
He took his aunts and later his nieces on trips to Europe.
He went whitewater rafting down the Colorado River, made annual visits to Notre Dame to cheer on his alma mater at football games, and took his nieces on rollercoasters.
He enjoyed history, current events, and science.
In retirement, he learned to speak French and Italian and supported the arts through regular attendance at the ballet, the symphony, and the opera.
Colin was a devoted husband to Ann, and extremely generous and kind to family, students, and everyone he met.
He was accepting of everyone and always open to new experiences.
He had an easy-going nature and when faced with adversity, he would shrug his shoulders and keep going.
He leaves behind colleagues and friends, decades of students who admire him, generations of family who adore him, and all will miss him greatly.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family Friday evening, August 31, 2018, 7-9 pm at the Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, 610-353-6300.
Funeral Mass Saturday, 9 am at St. John Neumann, 380 Highland Lane, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.
Internment at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
19102 or Free Library Fund of Philadelphia's Free Library, 1901 Vine Street, Suite 111, Philadelphia, PA
19103, would be greatly appreciated.
Beloved husband of the late Ann N. MacKay; loving brother of Patrick MacKay and his wife Jackie; and dear brother-in-law of Nadeene MacKay.
Also survived by his nieces and nephew Coleen MacKay, Neil MacKay Jr., Kathy MacKay, Lin MacKay, Kelli MacKay, Dorothy Ann Higgins, Ellen Whitaker, and Donna Zeitter and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his brother, Neil MacKay, Sr.
Colin grew up surrounded by his large Italian and Irish/Scottish family in Waterbury, Connecticut.
He attended Catholic schools and later went to the University of Notre Dame.
He was drafted into the Navy in 1944, but when World War II ended, he was able to finish his undergraduate work, graduating in 1950.
From there he went to the University of Chicago, with another break to serve on a navy cruiser in the Mediterranean during the Korean War.
After receiving his Ph.D. in 1956, he took a "temporary" job at Haverford College as a chemistry professor and ended up staying for 49 years.
While at Haverford he also served as provost from 1979-1980.
Colin was curious and adventurous.
He took his aunts and later his nieces on trips to Europe.
He went whitewater rafting down the Colorado River, made annual visits to Notre Dame to cheer on his alma mater at football games, and took his nieces on rollercoasters.
He enjoyed history, current events, and science.
In retirement, he learned to speak French and Italian and supported the arts through regular attendance at the ballet, the symphony, and the opera.
Colin was a devoted husband to Ann, and extremely generous and kind to family, students, and everyone he met.
He was accepting of everyone and always open to new experiences.
He had an easy-going nature and when faced with adversity, he would shrug his shoulders and keep going.
He leaves behind colleagues and friends, decades of students who admire him, generations of family who adore him, and all will miss him greatly.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family Friday evening, August 31, 2018, 7-9 pm at the Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, 610-353-6300.
Funeral Mass Saturday, 9 am at St. John Neumann, 380 Highland Lane, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.
Internment at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA
19102 or Free Library Fund of Philadelphia's Free Library, 1901 Vine Street, Suite 111, Philadelphia, PA
19103, would be greatly appreciated.
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