Harry B. "Mac" McKenzie, 96, passed away peacefully on May 8 at the Sunrise Senior Living Center in Frederick, Md. Harry, known as Mutt during his youth, was born on March 5, 1917, in Meyersdale. He was the youngest of four children born to Noah A. and Annie (Housel) McKenzie. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years Lillian Marion Yates, his sister Evelyn (Bolden), and his two brothers Homer and Orland. He is survived by his two children Bruce (McLean, Va.) and Kathryn Ann (Frederick, Md.), and two granddaughters Erin (Naples, Fla.) and Kara (Vienna, Va). “Mac” was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Army for four years, eight months and three days. He was with the very first group of eight young men drafted from Meyersdale on Feb. 7, 1941. The course of his life was forever changed by his Service experience. Mac was sent to Ft. Belvoir for basic training, where he was eventually assigned to the 660th Engineer Topographical Battalion, “B” Company. The 660th was the first full American topographical engineering unit shipped to the United Kingdom, arriving Sept. 6, 1942 (via the Queen Mary, converted to a troopship for the War). Their mission was to prepare the maps necessary for Operation Overlord, the June 6, 1944, Allied assault on Normandy. Following the D-Day Invasion, the 660th turned its attention on mapping the push through France and across the Rhine into Germany. With the liberation of Paris, the 660th relocated its mapping operations to Paris where they focused on mapping Bavaria, and northern Austria. During the course of their stay in England, the Topographic Engineers also had time to show-off their baseball skills. They were league champions of London’s International Baseball League — a highly competitive eight-team circuit consisting of five U.S. Army teams, two Canadian military clubs and a British civilian squad. Mac, “Nooky” Morgart (from Bedford), and Johnny Puskas, Steve Phenicie, and Bill Lingenfelter (all from the Somerset area) formed the nucleus of the championship team. Mac completed his World War II Service as First Sergeant of “B” Company. After the War Mac returned to Meyersdale for a short time until he accepted a cartographer’s position (as a Civilian) with the U.S. Army Map Service in Brookmount, Md., (near Washington, D.C.) His service during the war had opened a new door for this coal miner’s son. His mapping career was varied, challenging and rewarding spanning 37 years of service; he was even involved in mapping the moon! During this time he raised his family in Rockville, Md. While Mac may have lived away from Meyersdale for many years, his heart was always beating for his old hometown. He moved back to Meyersdale in 1995 where he pursued his six passions, helping the Meyersdale Public Library with it’s historical archive, trying to shoot his age on the Piney Run Golf Course (which he did once!), avidly reading his favorite authors, ardently listening to his collection of big band albums, enjoying his favorite breakfast of two eggs over easy with home fries and roast beef, and rooting for his favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. Mac was active in the Meyersdale Elks Lodge, Meyersdale Lions, Historical Society, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a past officer in the Association of Mapping Seniors, the Army Map Service retirees organization. The family would like to invite all of Mac’s friends and relatives to attend a “Remembrance Celebration Supper,” on May 21, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Meyersdale Elk’s Lodge, 327 Dale Street, Meyersdale, PA 15552. Memorials in Mac’s name may be directed to the Meyersdale Public Library, the Meyersdale Historical Society, or the Hospice of Frederick County. The family looks forward to visiting with everyone and sharing fond memories. Arrangements by William Rowe Price Funeral Home, Meyersdale. www.WilliamRowePrice.com.
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