FORMER SEAXE BOX ADMINISTRATOR JOHN MACKIE HAS SADLY PASSED AWAY - A REAL UNSUNG HERO OF THE SEAXE CLUB
It is with great sadness that we report the death of John Mackie, who had been suffering from dementia and Parkinson’s disease for the last few years, writes Alan Ashton.
John was 84.
He will be best remembered as custodian of the Seaxe Box at Lord’s from 2003-2015 when he also served on the Seaxe committee. His knowledge of cricket in general and Middlesex in particular was invaluable.
Middlesex born and bred, he went to school in Stanmore, worked for local telephone and car companies, was married for 55 years to Shirley, had a daughter, Janet, and settled in Stanmore.
Shirley can’t remember when he actually joined Middlesex, although states that– “He always seemed to be at Lord’s”. “Cricket was his life”.
It was former chairman Jane Saxton who described him as an unsung hero. who went about the job with no fuss nor bother. “I really enjoyed working with him”, she commented, "He will always be remembered by many for the warm welcome he always gave to people in the box at tea-time".
Jane remembers a day in August 2002 when she was in the Box and they were visited by Stan Sismey and his family from New South Wales. He had played in the Victory test and was revisiting Lord’s. Stan and John had some mutual friends in the cricketing world and the two of them spent what seemed an age chatting and reminiscing while the rest of the Australian’s Lord’s tour was almost forgotten.
Everyone at Seaxe and all those who met him will never forget 'Gentleman John'.
