The obituary notice of John Christopher MACKEY

I remember John as enormously kind-hearted, gloriously silly, and wonderfully cheerful.

I feel so lucky to have grown up with him as such a key part of my childhood - his cheerful brrring and his singing of Van Morrison were a defining soundtrack of those years.

He always seemed to know how to live life in the moment. He adored his family and valued what mattered most. Wedding videography skills aside (!), he was a truly brilliant and deeply loved man. I feel very lucky to have known him.

Lots of happy memories of a very kind, fun and generous man, who always made time for others. There are too many to mention, but our trip to see Leicester win the Play-Off Final at Wembley will forever live on in my memory!

A large part of my childhood, he was also an inspiration to me as an adult, both in my career and personally. He will be deeply missed by so many, but I can still hear his wonderful brumming, humming and laughter whenever I think of him.

I was so lucky to have John as my Godfather, along with Diana, the very best godparents anyone could hope for. He played such a big role in my childhood and beyond, and he will be deeply missed. I’ll always remember him as fun, happy and incredibly kind - and of course for his love of Syston! It always seemed he knew how to value the things that mattered in life.

Even after moving to Bristol, I’ve met many people who knew Mr. Mack; his influence as a drama teacher reached far and wide. He will be greatly missed and very fondly remembered. Alice x

It was my privilege to have worked with John at Beauchamp for many years whilst I was music teacher there. What an amazing colleague he was - always so kind, generous, positive and supportive. He helped me when I was a young teacher and I spent many breaktimes with him in the staffroom, where he have me much wise advice and counsel. He was always at my Christmas concerts in the front row and asking if he could give the programmes out! I have many cherished memories of John and he will not be forgotten. Sending his family every best wish at this difficult time for them. He spoke about you all to me very often. xxx

Over 50 years ago we moved to a new house in Rearsby only to find that our new neighbours were John and his wife Diana. From that moment we became close friends.
John was a wonderful man: he loved teaching drama at Oadby Beauchamp college, travelling throughout the UK as an examiner. His cheery good nature shone through everything he did. He was proud to be a no nonsense referee for 36 years, and a dedicated Leicester City fan.
Kind and generous to a fault, he was great fun to be with. He enchanted us with many stories sometimes a tad over embellished, and was the life and soul of many social occasions,
He bore his gradual decline from Alzheimer’s with his customary fortitude
We miss him terribly
Angela and Terry

Mr Mackey was my saviour at Beachamp college. I am really saddened to see he has gone, as I always hoped I might see him again to thank him for everyrhing he did for me, making my day, every day that I saw him.

I was not the easiest teenager, but he saw me and understood me and took me into his form group, plus two of my firends at my request. I got an A* in GCSE drama with Mr Mackey as my teacher, we used to dance around the drama studio together during form time, he was a fabulously funny, kind and magical man.

He even wrote a reference for me in my ealry 20's to get a job in the Expressive Art department a secondary school, local to me. It just so happened, that the drama teacher at this school (who was on the interview panel) had trained with Mr Mackey at Beachamp, had read the absolutely wonerful reference Mr Mack wrote for me (which was so nice it made me cry). He also was in absolute admirarion of Mr Mackey and we had a Mackey memory share together after my interview! I got the job, and i feel I owe the it to John Mackey, I have worked in schools ever since and an now age 40!

A friend from Mr Mackey's my drama class shared with me that she has seen his obitaury and was also deeply saddned by this. Her, knowing how much I appreciated this man and teacher, felt the need to inform me. I have also shared the news with one of the foreds I helped move into his form group. We, as his former srudents, are all in agreement ge was the best teacher and one if the most wonderful humans, ever!

Thank gooddeness this man walked the earth and crossed my path. He was and to me, remains a legend!

Mr Mackay was an incredible teacher in my time at Beauchamp. I’m sure he left a legacy with many many people. I remember him fondly all the way here in Australia. Be at rest now John.