Arthur G. MacKenzie

Weston – Mr. Arthur G. MacKenzie, Jr., an accomplished classical pianist and producer in the entertainment industry, passed away after a long illness at the Meadow Green Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Waltham on Saturday, January 25, 2014. He was 85.

Mr. MacKenzie, a resident of Weston for fifty-one years, was born on December 29, 1928 in Boston to the late Arthur George and Verna Raby MacKenzie. He attended Cambridge High and Latin. He began taking piano lessons at the age of eight and later studied with George Cohen, as well as classical pianists Vladimir Horowitz and Arthur Rubinstein.

A Steinway Artist, Mr. MacKenzie performed as a guest soloist with many of the world's foremost symphony orchestras. In Boston, he also performed with Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops regularly for many years, including performances in Symphony Hall and at the Esplanade. He gave solo recitals throughout Europe and North America, including many concerts at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, as well as New York's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He was hailed by the New York Times as "Phenomenal." The title given to his Westminster Gold album, Homage to Rubinstein and Horowitz, was in honor of his mentors. He was also honored by the Israel Defense Forces for giving a concert in Tel Aviv during a time of war.

When Mr. MacKenzie was not performing on stage, he produced many television and theatrical productions, including NBC's salute to the Olympics featuring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, the network television series Land's End, programming for Fujisankei Communications, and the award-winning New York musical Personals (launching professional careers of the writers of the TV Series Friends). His many productions featured talents such as Bill Cosby, Ray Charles, Willy Nelson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Helen Hayes, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Victor Borge, Liza Minnelli, James Taylor, Phil Collins, and Milton Berle.

At the request of his lifelong friend Peter Bronfman (of Canada), Mr. MacKenzie also served on the Board of Directors of Edper, Ltd. and Brascan, which is now Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM).

Very active with many non-profit organizations, Mr. MacKenzie served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. He served as Executive Producer of the Massachusetts Cancer Crusade Kickoff for twelve years. He was also a member of the Jimmy Fund Council of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

At the national level, he produced major benefit gala events for both the American Cancer Society and the National Urban League. Mr. MacKenzie received the American Cancer Society National Saint George Bronze Medal Award, the highest honor bestowed upon volunteers for outstanding leadership in the fight against cancer.

Also active in his hometown community, Mr. MacKenzie served as Chairman of Weston's committee forthe celebration of the United States Bicentennial – organizing the largest parade in the history of the town – and as a member of the Weston Arts Council. He was elected an honorary life member of the Golden Ball Tavern Keepers for performing a concert to raise funds for the restoration for the Tavern. He also opened his home every Christmas Eve to neighbors and friends (including members of the Kennedy Family) for many years to play carols. In fact, he built his home in Weston around his Steinway Concert Grand Piano so that he could give recitals in his home.

Mr. MacKenzie also served in the Massachusetts National Guard during the Korean War.

Mr. MacKenzie is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, the former Maralyn Pfeifer; his sons Christian, and his wife Elizabeth, and Cameron, and his wife Shelby; his daughter Alexandra and her husband Tony Pignatiello; his three grandchildren Anna, Elizabeth and Christian; his sisters Jane Brusch and Verna Haslem and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Arthur's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, January 29th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 11 a.m. on Thursday morning when his funeral service will be held. Burial will be in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.