Aviator, businessman.
Born at Kingston, Jamaica on 15 December 1931 to Annette Louise Maduro (1912-1992) and George Adam Mackenzie (1901-1991), he attended Jamaica College from 1944 to 1948. He then began a career in flying with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), which led to him fulfilling his dream of moving to Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1950. After completing officer training and pilot training, he commenced his flying duties in 1952, as a Flying Officer. He advanced through the officer ranks to Lieutenant-General, serving in a variety of flying and staff appointments. During his career he commanded a squadron, a base, and the Maritime Air Group. In 1978, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed Chief of Staff for the Canadian Air Force.
In 1980, he resigned from the Air Force and became Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Gendis Inc., a commercial property management company situated in Winnipeg. In 1989, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. He served for one year as President of Sony of Canada, and then held a position on the Board of Directors for Sony of Canada Limited. He was also a member of the Regional Advisory Board for Carleton University, a Governor of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, and an advisor to the Association of Canadian Police Chiefs.
He was decorated a Commander of the Order of Military Merit, an Officer of the Order of St. John's, and the Canadian Forces Decoration. In 2010, he was appointed Honorary Chairman of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada. He was also a Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem and a member of the Manitoba Club and the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba. In 2012, he was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
In 1952, he married Doris Elliott (1931-1969). With his second wife, Valerie Ann, who he married in 1971, he had two children.
He died at Winnipeg on 10 September 2012 and was buried in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 15 September 2012.
George Allan Mackenzie, Schofield Family Tree, Ancestry.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 7 June 2026
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