Final goodbyes to Buckie High School stalwart George
A FORMER long-serving former rector of Buckie High School is being mourned after passing away at the age of 92.
George Clark McKenzie, who died on June 7, led the school from 1966 to 1987.
Born into a fishing family in Lossiemouth on October 15, 1927, George was a gifted child, the eldest of four born to John and Jessie McKenzie.
His academic prowess was soon to shine through, being crowned dux first of all at Lossiemouth School then Elgin Academy. George became the first bursar in science at Aberdeen University in 1945 where he was to study maths, graduating with a first class BSc Honours in 1949.
His teaching career, which followed a spell in the RAF as a civilian scientific officer, was to take him firstly to Gordon College. It was during this time he met and married Nan Slater, tying the knot on July 6, 1956.
A year later George headed to Grantown and his first promoted post as principal teacher of maths, where he was to remain until 1961 before taking a similar post at his old stamping ground, Elgin Academy.
After a five-year stint he was appointed to the post of rector at Buckie High.
The importance of providing a rounded education, particularly through extra-curricular activities, was to become a hallmark of his two-decade tenure. Harking back to his Grantown days, George often led skiing parties to the Cairngorms and rekindled interest in swimming at the school.
In 1974 he was instrumental in creation of hospital broadcasting at Buckie High by making accomodation at the then Low School, along with seedcorn funding, available to the late Jeff Jones which allowed the project to go on the air in February 1975. It was a contribution Jeff was to never forget.
Despite his many achievements in the education field, he was regarded by those who knew him as a very humble man who never lost the common touch.
Away from the chalk face, George's faith was very important to him and he was to join the South Kirk in Buckie on moving to the town, having previously been an active member of churches in Lossiemouth and Grantown. He became an elder in 1975 and was presbytery elder on many occasions
He enjoyed a game of golf, serving on no fewer than four occasions as captain of Buckpool Golf Club.
Many other clubs and organisations were to benefit from his insights, wisdom and experience over the years.
George was a two-time president of Buckie Rotary, and was also a president, secretary and treasurer at various junctures of the Banffshire Bridge League.
Other interests included the Speakers' Club, the Probus Club and several committees, while he also served as a Justice of the Peace among many other roles and responsibilities.
George was laid to rest on Friday, June 12 at Lossiemouth ceremony, the graveside service being conducted by Buckie South and West minister Rev Wes Brandon. While Covid-19 lockdown restrictions limited the numbers who could attend the service, many former colleagues and pupils alike lined the streets as the hearse bearing his coffin made its way out of Buckie and back to his native Lossiemouth.
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