R. Steve McKenzie, 67, of Burlington died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, March 13, 2016.
He was born in Burlington, Vermont on April 27, 1948 the son of Harold Joseph & Lennie Lora (Perry) McKenzie. He was educated in Burlington Schools and attended Champlain College. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He met his bride to be on St. Pattys Day and several years later, was married in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to his sweetheart, Kathleen Bosley on July 25, 1987. Steve worked for many years in sales for McKenzie Meats and recently retired as a rural carrier with the U.S. Postal Service.
He was a member of Cathedral Parish, the Boy Scouts of America Order of the Arrow, and as a charter member of the Sautéed Mushrooms participated in their annual Christmas shopping spree. He was also Captain of the Party Barge.
Steve is survived by his wife Kathleen (Bosley) McKenzie of Burlington. He also leaves his beloved children, the two shining stars in his life, his daughter Bridget McKenzie of Burlington and his son Devin McKenzie of Burlington; his siblings and their spouses, Patrick & Virginia (Patnaude) McKenzie, William & Pauline (Prior) McKenzie, Judy (McKenzie) & Vincent Ziccolella, Kay McKenzie, Suzie McKenzie, Brian & Anne (Strong) McKenzie, Dennis & Nora (Lynch) McKenzie, and Bruce McKenzie & his companion Keiko Kokubun; his mother-in-law Joan Bosley; his in-laws, Karen (Bosley) & Tom Chagnon, Suzanne (Bosley) & Jerry Weber, Kenneth Bosley, Jr. and Kevin Bosley & his partner Jeff Gorham; also many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother Harold Joseph McKenzie; a sister Thelma (McKenzie) Maple; a brother-in-law Raymond Maple; a nephew Jimmy Ziccolella, and by his father-in-law Kenneth Bosley, Sr.
Steve was the oldest of Harold and Lennies four little boys. He enjoyed Stunt Night at Rice Memorial High School and a formidable player of Capture the Flag at Camp Norris and he was always a prankster. His siblings and crew on Isham St. called him Moose, and was first chosen for most games, especially football and Red Rover at Pomeroy Park.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, (St Pattys Day) March 17, 2016 at 10:00 am in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Burial will follow in Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm in the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. To send online condolences, please visit www.readyfuneral.com.
Steve always looked for the good in everyone. Anyone who knew him will never forget his laughter.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the Palm of His hand.