“I have tried to unveil what Teddy Roosevelt said, “No words can unveil the mystery of the wilderness” by conducting numerous field observations, that have included many underwater via scuba, in estuaries/bays and in the Atlantic Ocean.” ~ Clyde MacKenzie Jr.
Fair Havenite Clyde MacKenzie Jr. passed away peacefully on April 29. He was 92.
Clyde “was still doing research on the offshore fisheries for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries (NMF) until the time of his passing. His dedication to federal service and devotion to the stewardship of our nation’s oceans will long be remembered.
Loved ones of Clyde MacKenzie Jr. in his obituary
“Clyde and his family moved to NJ in 1973 where he was employed as a fishery research biologist for NOAA at the J.J. Howard Laboratory, Sandy Hook. His passion for working at NOAA came from growing up in a commercial fishing community in the 1930s and 1940s on Martha’s Vineyard. Throughout his career, he contributed immensely to the industry through his diligent research and saw tremendous value in combining field work and laboratory work.
“He was a careful researcher and a modest practical writer. He was the author of over 60 publications and books, including: The History of Bay Scalloping, Fisheries of Raritan Bay (1992), as well as Martha’s Vineyard-Nine Local Histories of Island Life (2017).
“Clyde attained his level of success through hard work, determination, and using the contributions of a great many local people interested in the same goals. His goal had always been to bring about actual improvements in fisheries and local waters through working with other scientists as well as active and retired fishermen. He felt consistently proud about supporting NOAA because their goals are very noble.
“Clyde will be remembered as a brilliant, dedicated biologist, and as a kind and devoted father and grandfather. He also enjoyed photography, nature, traveling and rooting for the Boston Red Sox. He will be greatly missed.”
Clyde was born June 4, 1931 on Martha’s Vineyard, MA to Clyde Sr. and Ruth Guilford MacKenzie.
He grew up on Martha’s Vineyard, where he graduated from high school. He was on the basketball team and enjoyed “the glory years” of Vineyard school basketball. Clyde worked on farms and enjoyed spending time with his family and beloved dog, a Scottish terrier mix named Shorty. He worked his way through college harvesting shellfish on Martha’s Vineyard.
He completed his undergraduate studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1955 and his master’s degree at College of William and Mary in 1958. He began his career working for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in 1958, spending 14 years at the NEFSC Milford, CT Laboratory. He then transferred to Prince Edward Island in 1972 and worked diligently on a successful Oyster Rehabilitation Program.
Clyde is predeceased by: his wife, Nati Rivera MacKenzie; and sister, Janice Teller, of Ohio.
He is survived by: his daughter, Natalie MacKenzie, of Shrewbury; two grandchildren, Emma and Aidan Sheehan; and many dear relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home
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