Much loved local funeral director, Linden Mackey, dead at 58
'Only a special person is able…to endlessly comfort others anguishing in grief'
Lindsay and the Kawartha Lakes area is in mourning after learning of the sudden death of Linden Mackey, owner of Mackey Funeral Home.
Mackey, 58, known as Lindy to many, was a married father of four and had an amicable, friendly, and gentle nature that seemed to make him the ideal fit for families when they were most vulnerable and grieving.
On the funeral home’s Facebook page, posted on Monday May 5, the statement reads they, “mourn the loss of an extraordinary family man, dedicated businessman, and cherished member of our community.”
“Linden was the heart and soul of our business, carrying forward the legacy of his father and grandfather with humility, grace, and pride,” the statement continued. “He never sought the spotlight — his kindness spoke for itself. Linden was generous to a fault, always putting others before himself.”
Mackey was born and raised in Lindsay. He was the last of the Mackey’s in the business, within this three-generation family business.
Jason Ward, co-founder of Wards Lawyers in Lindsay, said Mackey’s “understated demeanour belied his illimitable kindness, generosity and compassion for his family, community and patronage.”
“Only a special person is able…to endlessly comfort others anguishing in grief,” Ward said.
Ward noted Mackey was “luminously proud of his exceptionally talented children,” too.
“For a man who dedicated his life to exceptional end-of-life care, befitting his own end came in the place he loved. When the shock and confusion settle, I will safeguard my memory of a truly beloved, hard-working family man.”
Victoria Jessup, co-owner of Kindred Coffee Bar in Lindsay’s downtown, said they are “absolutely devastated to lose Lindy and can’t imagine the pain his family and friends are feeling right now.”
“We noticed he wasn’t in for his usual croissant and Americano Misto. He would always chat with us and people around him in the shop. He lit us up and everyone was always so happy to see him,” Jessup said.
Jessup said he was a regular guest “from day one – literally among the top five most frequent guests in the shop,” which they confirmed through their loyalty system.
Mike Puffer knew Mackey for decades, calling his death “a devastating loss on so many levels” for the community.
“Lindy truly understood the value and importance of supporting the community in which he lived and worked. We all know that he generously supported any worthy local cause over the years. But he also willingly contributed his time, advice and expertise to help organizations and programs that benefited from his input,” Puffer said.
He was also an adept businessperson, judging by the rate of expansion he oversaw in the last five years alone. In 2020 Mackey acquired Stoddart Funeral Home, and helped to launch the career of Alison Lynch, who had done a co-op placement in high school with him when she was a teenager.
Lynch accepted a position as the manager of Stoddart Funeral Home and in June 2023, partnered with Mackey to become a co-owner. Mackey and Lynch also acquired Jardine Funeral Home in Fenelon Falls in 2024.
Leanna Segura said the community “will never be the same,” without Mackey in it.
“I’m absolutely heartbroken. Lindy has known my family for decades but I initially met him when we opened Fresh FueLL in 2015 and he has remained a customer and friend ever since,” said Segura.
“Every time he was in our store, we had a lovely chat,” she recalls. “We always saw eye to eye on issues and would discuss them to no end. Every time he came in the store, his presence and kindness were felt. Lindy was truly the most humble man I have ever met. Navigating the fact that I will never see him smile again is keeping me in tears.”
The Pie Eyed Monk in Lindsay is just a parking lot away from Mackey Funeral Home. General Manager Erastus Burley said he saw Mackey “almost every day for the last six years.”
“As business neighbours, our paths crossed on the sidewalk, in the parking lot, at Kindred or at the Pie Eyed Monk where he often ordered take out or dined with family and friends.”
He remembers exchanging stories about hospitality trends, the shifting world of business “or the recent gentrification happening throughout Kawartha Lakes.”
“During the pandemic, he encouraged me to expand our patio into the parking lot in an effort to find success in that dark time,” said Burley.
“He always had time for people and paused to recognize others and to offer words of encouragement and support. His commitment to building a better community for all will never be forgotten.”
Nicki Dedes, owner of the Olympia Restaurant in Lindsay’s downtown, called her friendship with Lindy “one of mutual trust and respect.”
We knew each other through school and growing up in a small town where we were children from families that ran successful community businesses with public profiles,” said Dedes. “Lindy became the third generation owner and I and my brother Louis the second generation.”
“Dedes said on that basis, “we completely related to each other and understood what it took to take that responsibility on and then created our lives and family around that commitment. Over the years, we grew together as an extended family, celebrating each other’s milestones of life like getting married, having children.”
“I loved his sense of humour, his candour when it really mattered, and most of all his gentle kindness,” she said.
My condolences to his family and to all the folks that have worked with Lindy over the years.
Just last year, Mackey was inducted into Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO)’s Business Hall of Fame.
In a 2020 Advocate story, Alison Lynch reflected on her professional association with Mackey.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t be a funeral director if it wasn’t for Lindy. He’s the funeral director I’d like to be.”
Linden really helped me navigate through my parents funeral arrangements. He also answered many questions with regards to the estate I dealt with after the funerals. He was always there for me. He also helped out our church when we rented space from him at Celebrations. I will miss him dearly. He was just a great guy.
I saw Lindy just about 11 days ago. He was always such a caring individual ,gentleman. He was there for us when my dad died as well.
We are heartbroken to hear of Lindy’s sudden passing. RIP Lindy. Our sincere condolences to his families. Our community just won’t be the same without him.
Such sad news. E dry time I saw Linden he was always kind and asked about my family. He was such an important part of our community. He will be missed. I will keep his beautiful family in my thoughts and prayers.
Lindy concludes a succession of Mackey Family members that made their significant mark on our Community in Lindsay and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Lindy’s life was a premier example of Christian compassion and love for all the families he served over the years. We have been immensely blessed to have known him and his family. We extend our condolences with prayers to the family.
Lindey conducted the joint funeral
For lifetime friends George and Ann Bellamy on April 26th. We had two chats that day. Both light hearted. As he was clearly overseeing the operation, he still took the time for some casual chat and always with a twinkle in his eye. I am so very sorry for his loss. He truly was “one of the good guys”. The family, the business and the town has lost a giant.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time. Praying that all the good memories they have had with him will help them as they grieve this loss of their loved one.
He was a true, professional, kind person.
Over the years we have had several occasions to meet with him. Such a great loss.
Jim & Mina Coons
Lindy was always a pleasure to work with. One of the finest and most professional funeral directors I have known in my 45 years of ordained ministry.
Really sad. Deepest sympathy to the family.
So sad to hear this, sometimes you never really know the pain that someone is going through, especially when it’s their job to help people through the worst times of their life. My family has used mackey’s funeral for as long as i can remember, it carries a special place in my memories. Lindsay and the Kawartha Lakes has suffered a real loss, not just in terms of a businessman but also of that rare person who’s job it is to carry a lantern to help guide people through the darkest times in their lives. Truly a sad day.
Linden was my first point of contact when navigating through a very difficult time of losing my Mother in September 2024. He was a very kind soul and understood the very difficult time I was having. I will never forget his kindness.
This is really upsetting to me. I lost my partner and then eight months later my mom. Lindy was amazing and kind and gentle. RIP Linden. My condolences to his family. Godspeed.
Lindy was such a loving, caring, person. Our family has known him for years and his father and uncles. He has helped us through many loses of family members Rodgers and Wilsons. His help was tremendous for us after the loss of our parents Carl and Eileen Wilson. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family.
Les and Carolyn Kent.
My family met Linden over 20 years ago when my dad died and then again when mom passed. Linden was very helpful and sympathetic as to making decisions for funeral arrangements. It’s like he was going through our loss with us. A quiet kind person meeting families during their hardest days. That has to take a toll on a person emotionally over many years. I hope he has found his peace and that his family can take comfort that the community feels their pain and loss with them. He will be missed by many.
Lindy will be missed, he was a valuable member of the Lindsay community. Lindy was a very compassionate individual. When I started working in the funeral industry 7 years ago as an Funeral Director Assistant I went and spoke with Lindy at Mackey’s when starting that position. I found Lindy to always be approachable and friendly. When I found out about his passing I was shocked and saddened. My deepest condolences to the entire Mackey Family.