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MACKAY, HONOURABLE JOHN GEORGE, farmer; b. 6 November 1893 in Albany, son of David MacKay and Elmira Harvey; m. 31 January 1918 Muriel Beatrice Boulter of Albany, and they had five children, John Howatt, Audrey Beryl, Lois Rita, Sutherland Bruce (died at 22) and Phillis (died at seven months); United; d. 21 October 1974 in Charlottetown. MacKay, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in a by-election held 4 July 1949 for 4th Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1951, 1955, 1959, and 1962. In 1955 MacKay was appointed Minister without Portfolio. He was appointed Minister of Highways on 16 June 1955, and remained in this Ministry until 1959. From 1959 to 1966, MacKay served in Opposition, with the exception of a period of six months in 1962. Previous to the federal election in June 1962, MacKay resigned from the Legislative Assembly to run in the federal riding of Prince; he was defeated. Following his retirement from politics, MacKay served as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Public Works and Highways, George Ferguson*. During this time Ferguson became ill, and from 1967 to 1969 MacKay served as acting Minister of Public Works and Highways. On 6 October 1969, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor, the first farmer to hold that position. MacKay served in this capacity until his death. MacKay was educated in Albany. During the First World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and was assigned to the 10th Siege Battery. His military career ended when he was discharged for health reasons. MacKay returned to Albany, where he farmed hogs and potatoes. In 1928 he bought a larger farm and in 1945 again expanded the operation. Early in his career, MacKay became the Albany stock shipping agent for Swift Canadian. He also took a prominent part in farm organization work. MacKay served as president of the Tryon Dairy Company, the Tryon Farmers In institute, and for a time he was a director of the Prince Edward Island Swine Breeders’ Association. MacKay was an active member of his church and his community. He was an elder of the Tryon United Church for almost 50 years and Sunday school superintendent of Zion Baptist Church in Albany for many years. He was also a member of the Tryon Inter-Community Choral Club. George MacKay died 21 October 1974 at the Prince Edward Island Hospital, while serving as Lieutenant-Governor., CPG 1950, 1961, 1966; HFER Prince p. 1; PEI Journal of the Legislative Assembly 1955 p. 1; Guardian 22 October 1974; Maritime Advocate and Busy East August 1955 p. 32; Patriot 21 October 1971.