Mac Hyde

Hyde, Laurier MacKay (Mac)

Barrie, Ontario - Laurier MacKay Hyde, affectionately known as Mac, peacefully passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday, October 29th, 2023. He was surrounded by his devoted wife of 66 years, Lois-Anne Hyde, and their loving family at Hospice Simcoe, where he found comfort in his final moments.

Mac's grandchildren joined together to offer their Gramps a respectful farewell as he embarked on his final journey from Hospice Simcoe. He leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Mac will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Lois-Anne, and his children: Chris (Nikki), Rick (Melissa), Laurie Scott (Mike), and Jennifer. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Mackenzie, Blake (Casey), Madison, Max, Calvin, and step-grandchildren Mikayla (Mark), Kendra, Britney, Brady, as well as his step-great-grandson, Jaxon.

Mac is remembered with great fondness for his illustrious 36-year teaching career, which began at East Elgin District High School in Aylmer, Ontario. He served as the Head of the Science department at Base Borden and even taught in Switzerland at Neuchatel Junior College for a year. His career continued in Etobicoke. Mac returned to the Barrie area as the Principal of Barrie's Eastview Secondary before becoming the first Principal of Innisdale Secondary School. His final role before retiring in 1991 was as Superintendent of schools in Barrie, Ontario. Mac was a man of few words, but his wisdom was widely respected. He understood the importance of surrounding himself with exceptional staff, and his kind, jovial, and gentle nature will be deeply missed.

In 1967/68 Mac was the Deputy Governor of District 8 as a member of the Brampton Kinsmen club. Mac was an active member of the Barrie Golden Kiwanis group and Probus Club and continued to engage in until recently. He was an integral part of the Central United Church community and considered his fellow Central friends an extension of his family.

Mac graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Physics. During his time at Western, he participated in the University Reserve Training Plan (URTP) for two summers and enjoyed flying his most beloved plane, the Harvard. On his 70th birthday, he shared his love of flying with his grandchildren, taking a passenger flight in the Harvard at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association in Tillsonburg ON. Mac also spent many hours building and flying remote control airplanes, often enjoying these pastimes during vacations with Lois-Anne in Florida.

Mac was a remarkable father who cherished his most important role dearly. Family life was his top priority, and he took great joy in watching his family grow. The purchase of a cottage in Harcourt Park brought him immense happiness as he witnessed his family's expansion and shared his love with his grandchildren. Countless family gatherings took place at the cottage, where relatives from the Welland, Fonthill, and London areas would come together. Mac's quick and humorous wit was a constant source of amusement for those who knew him, and he kept children engaged, even teaching many how to waterski.

As a husband, father, and gramps, Mac considered his family values to be his greatest legacy. He valued traditions and delighted in creating new ones and building lasting memories.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 16th, at the Legacy Funeral Home, 55 Cedar Pointe Dr #600 in Barrie, Ontario (Enter at Dunlop Street. Turn right into 15 Cedar Pointe Drive and follow along the Highway 400 side of building, parking and main entrance is beside the Barrie Enforcement Services Office), from 1pm to 4pm. A Celebration of Life presentation will take place at 2pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice Simcoe (336 Penetanguishene Road, Barrie ON L4M 7C2)

Link to Livestream

A private family service was held on November 2^nd, 2023.