Donald Patrick McKay

Divisions Served: “E,” “G,” “M,” “D”

Pillar Location: Pillar IX, Row 14, Column A

Story: 

Pat grew up in Whitewood SK with his parents Margaret and T.D. McKay as well as his two older brothers, Ross and Murray, and his younger sister Sheila. He enjoyed the usual activities of young boys on the prairies; hockey, baseball, football and boy scouts. Pat had a great love of music and played the saxophone in his school band, the bass drum in the marching band, as well as singing in his high school choir, the Miller Rovers. He also had a love of the water and enjoyed spending time at the lake swimming, boating and fishing. Pat was a very strong swimmer and spent many of his summers as a teenager teaching swimming lessons at Round Lake in Saskatchewan.

In 1967 Pat left home and joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He was posted to CFB Cornwallis for basic training. His time is the Navy did not last long as he received a medical discharge and returned home to Saskatchewan in the spring of 1968. Later that year Pat and his family moved to Regina SK, where Pat attended Miller Composite High School until 1969.

Following his time at Miller High School, Pat started working in Regina as a delivery truck driver. This job took him all over the city making deliveries, and he enjoyed getting to know all the business and restaurant owners and managers who were part of his route. Pat was a very personable guy and enjoyed getting to know many different people all over Canada throughout his life.

In 1970 Pat decided to start his career in law enforcement and joined the Regina City Police. He shared many stories with his children and grandchildren about his months working as a City Police Officer and walking the beat at night on his own in Regina. One story his Grandson Liam loved was how Pat was not issued a firearm prior to his first shift due to a clerical error. To make it look like his holster wasn’t empty Pat bought a banana and carried that instead of a firearm for his first few weeks as a Police Officer, changing out the banana for a new one once it got too soft!

Pat joined the RCMP on November 1, 1971 as a member of Troop 18. His time at Depot was an adventure for Pat, some good times and some not so good times. He always had many colorful and funny stories to share with his family about those months of training and the lifelong friendships he made with his troop mates. Throughout his life he kept in touch with his troop mates and regularly attended Troop 18 reunions and events, to share a laugh and a drink with his friends.

In 1972 Pat travelled to Prince George BC for his first posting with the RCMP. This first step lead to a 32 year career with the RCMP that included 13 postings over 2 provinces and 3 territories. In his career with the RCMP Pat found a way to mix his love of Canada, travel and adventure with his ability to get to know people and make a difference in their lives.

Pat’s Postings:
E Div. Prince George City Det. 72-05-17
G Div. Yellowknife Det. 73-09-28
G Div. Fort Simpson Det. 74-06-20
G Div. Pine Point Det. 75-08-11
G Div. Rankin Inlet Det. 76-04-05
G Div. Normal Wells Det. 77-04-04
G Div. Fort Smith Det. 79-07-03
M Div. Dawson City Det. 80-05-16
M Div. Mayo Det. 82-07-15
D Div. Winnipegosis 84-07-25
D Div. Melita Det. 88-08-17
D Div. Lynn Lake Det. 90-08-07
D Div. Dauphin Section NCO/ 93-07-13
West Service Area Advisory NCO

Pat was promoted to 2/Cst. on Nov 1, 1972 and to Cst. on May 3, 1973. He received his promotion to Cpl. on July 15, 1982. Following that he was promoted to Sgt. on August 7, 1990 and then to S/Sgt. on August 2, 1992.

The majority of Pat’s early years with the Force took him to Canada’s Far North and started a lifelong love affair with this region of our great country. Pat loved the untouched beauty and the wide open spaces of the North West Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. Here he was able to learn about new cultures and participate in many of his favourite outdoor activities such as fishing and camping. Pat often said that the most beautiful place he had ever been in the world was an old RCMP patrol cabin on the shores of Kelly Lake not far from Norman Wells NWT. He said that in all his life’s travels he had never found a place that could rival the natural beauty and peaceful calm of that place.

It was during these years in the North that Pat’s family grew to include his wife Wendy and their children, Tim and Katie. As a family they followed Pat on his adventures around Canada as a RCMP Officer. Some postings brought happy times and some brought challenges, but Pat taught his children to enjoy the good times and learn from the bad ones and to never be scared to take on a new opportunity. You never know what adventure is coming next!

Another life lesson Pat taught by example was the need to give back to the community. In all the towns that Pat and his family lived he was always involved in a number of activities. He spent many years coaching youth sports including hockey, football, softball, badminton, track and field and volleyball. He also volunteered on numerous community committees and boards and was a member of a variety of community organizations including curling clubs, barbershop choirs, art centers, marching bands and seniors centers.

In 2003 Pat retired from the RCMP in Dauphin MB and although his career as a Mountie had ended he kept busy doing a variety of other jobs in the years following. Perhaps his most enjoyable and meaningful work after his retirement from the Force were the years he spent working and volunteering with the Dauphin Kings Junior Hockey Club. Pat worked as the Equipment Manager for a number of years, as well as taking his turn as the team Bus Driver. Pat and Wendy also opened their home as billets to a number of Dauphin Kings hockey players over the years. Pat enjoyed his time spent at the rink with the players and coaching staff. Being a role model and mentor to young people was important to Pat during his career with the RCMP and his time with the Dauphin Kings gave him another opportunity to have a positive influence on many young men.

The most important “job” Pat had during his retirement years, was the one of Grandpa to his two grandchildren Liam and Bridgette. Many hours were spent building Lego, reading books, playing at the park and attending a lot of hockey games and dance recitals. Liam and Bridgette were always happy to have Grandpa around to cheer them on and provide a big hug at the end of the day.

In 2018, Pat and Wendy decided to relocate to Martensville SK to be closer to some of their family. Sadly, Pat passed away from Cancer in July 2019 and is buried at RCMP Depot in Regina SK. He is dearly missed by his family and friends but left them with many memories filled with love.