The Rev. Donald Hadley MacKenzie's Obituary
The Reverend Doctor Donald “Don” Hadley MacKenzie, 86, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord on Tuesday morning, November 1, 2022. Born in 1935 in New Gloucester, Maine, he was the son of Hadley Chester MacKenzie and Ruth May MacKenzie. Don grew up in Bath, Maine. After years of dedication, at the age of 17, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America. Don graduated from Morse High School in 1953 and in 1958 and 1959 he received two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Ministry and Theology from Providence - Barrington Bible College in R.I. In 1963 he earned his Master of Ministry degree from Gordon - Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Mass., and in 1986 he gained his Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Fla.
Fulfilling his calling to serve the Lord, Don pastored eight different churches throughout his life in Mass., Maine, Ohio, N.J., and Pa. He eventually became the General Director of Mid-Atlantic Conservative Baptist Association, headquartered in Enola, Pa., and served more than 240 pastors and churches throughout Pa., N.J., Del., and Md., for 15 years.
Along with his passion for preaching and mentoring other leaders, he had a powerful singing voice, having been vocally trained since he was a boy. Along with his church and music ministries, he had an infectious sense of humor and an unshakable love of Jesus. Don had a powerful prayer life and spent hours daily in prayer for family, friends, and the world around him. Don was professionally affiliated with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and provided counseling services to hundreds of married couples and individuals throughout his life.
An avid reader, he read an average of a book per week and had a library of more than 4,000 books. He also maintained a book review website (biblicallycenteredcounseling.com) where he would post his thoughts about the many books he read. Don was always able to recommend from memory the perfect article or book to address any spiritual or emotional challenge. He never wasted an opportunity to talk about spiritual matters, but he did also love the Boston Red Sox and the game of golf.
Don married his first wife, Lydia Faith Carpenter, in 1959 after they graduated from college. They raised four sons together and were blessed to be married for 38 years until Lydia went home to be with the Lord in 1998. Don found love again and married Carol Louise Densmore in 1999 and was honored to gain three more adult children. They lived in Mount Joy, Pa., for the last 23 years, recently moving to Leesburg, Va., to be with family.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Lydia, and his granddaughter Bethany. He is survived by his second wife, Carol, of Leesburg, Va. He is also survived by seven children: Gordon (Nancy) MacKenzie of Florence, S.C.; David (Susan) MacKenzie, York, Pa.; Stephen (Cynthia) MacKenzie, McKinney, Texas; and Paul (Frace) MacKenzie, Orefield, Pa.; Victoria Falcon (Carlos), Lexington Park, Md.; Michael Densmore (Jackie), Leesburg, Va.; and Valerie Szmaciasz (Stuart), Kunklestown, Pa.
Donald is also survived by 19 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
A celebration of his long, faithful life of service to his Lord, his family, his churches, and his community will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, November 18, at Cornerstone Community Church, 388 Polk Township Rd., Kunkletown, Pa. A public visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 – noon on November 18.
A private internment service will be held at Laurel Cemetery, 698 Trimmer Ave., White Haven, Pa.
What’s your fondest memory of Donald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donald?
Share a story where Donald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donald you’ll never forget.
How did Donald make you smile?
