Rodney A. MacKenzie

North Smithfield, RI - Rodney Allen MacKenzie, 67, passed away suddenly on May 28, 2022. Rodney was born to Frank and Jessie (Crowley) MacKenzie. He grew up in Pawtucket, RI, and was a graduate of Tolman High School. Rodney continued his education at Boston University and earned his MBA at Boston College. Rodney had a career in sales and for a time, a software engineer. He had a gift for building relationships with his clients and earned multiple sales awards at companies including Diebold, NCR, and Executone. He became close to many of his colleagues from the different companies he worked for in his career, resulting in many lifelong friendships. Later in his career, Rodney also partnered in the launch of multiple successful small software businesses. Rodney had three children whom he frequently said were his greatest achievement: Scott (Stephanie) MacKenzie , Trevor (Heather) MacKenzie, and Matthew (LeAnne) MacKenzie . He took great pride in their successes and was an exemplary father in all aspects of their lives. Rodney spoke of the happy “trifecta” days when all three of his boys would call him to chat on the same day about family, sports, music, current events, or anything that would come to mind. Rodney's gentle guidance, coupled with his jovial nature, enriched the lives of his sons, their wives, and his grandchildren. His most joyful days were spent around birthdays, holidays, and family get-togethers. Rodney had an ability to make every family event special and he was always thoughtful. He was known to write full page length birthday and Christmas cards for his sons to tell them how proud he was of their milestones in the preceding year. Big Mack, as he was affectionately known by his kids and grandchildren, hosted “Ice Cream Fridays” as a way to make sure he was seeing everyone as much as possible as he loved hearing about how they were progressing in their lives. He was a coach, an advocate for his boys, and he gave them the tools to be successful in their varied passions and creative endeavors. Rodney was an avid golfer and had been a member at Pawtucket Country Club and Segregansett Country Club. If the sun was shining and there was no snow on the ground, Rodney would find a way to be on the golf course. He was noted for his pickup games, coined the “Rod Squads,” as well as for spearheading the creation of the “Jimmy Tanner Caddy Classic” at Pawtucket Country Club. Although Rodney had a passion for improving his golf game and enjoyed the competitive aspect of the sport, equally important were the relationships he built with his many friends over the years. He particularly enjoyed his trips to Myrtle Beach with his golf buddies. His closest friends shared his passion for golf and he enjoyed talking to them about anything and everything. Rodney also enjoyed travel and taking his family on vacations. He traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and the islands of the Caribbean. He was an avid reader and really enjoyed learning new things, especially about sports and history. In addition to his children, Rodney is survived by two brothers, Frank (Kathleen) MacKenzie III, of Attleboro, MA, and Bruce (Louise) MacKenzie, of Taunton, MA. He is also survived by four grandchildren, whom he adored: Chessa, Logan, Katelyn, and William. Rodney is further survived by his longtime partner, Janice Fournier, as well as Janice's daughter, Stacee Fournier, and her boyfriend, Derek Melanson. Rodney brought irreplaceable joy to the lives of his family and friends. He will be missed profoundly. VISITATION will be held for Rodney at WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 4PM to 7PM. A service to celebrate Rodney's life will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 915 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, on Friday, June 3, 2022 starting at 10AM. Relatives, friends, golf buddies, and well-wishers are all invited. A luncheon will be held afterwards at Pawtucket Country Club. Contributions in Rodney's name may be made to the John P. Burke Memorial Fund Scholarship online or can be mailed to One Button Hole Drive, Providence, RI 02909. TRIPPFUNERALHOME.com

Rodney A. MacKenzie

January 9, 1955 - May 28, 2022