Page 45 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

The Old Ratclifan 2012 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Obituaries a typewriter, but he never found the word processor – still less the computer – a congenial tool. John’s network was extensive, and he relished many a serendipitous meeting. As he signed the forms to join the RAF, he bumped into an Old Ratcliffian friend doing the same; on a wartime sea voyage between South Africa and Egypt, he was serving Sunday Mass on board ship and noticed another Old Ratcliffian in the congregation; during a brief wartime administrative posting in Liverpool – he was responsible, among other duties, for finding hot drinks and snacks for NCO pilots and navigators – his job was made easier when he discovered a duty chef whose wife was an appreciative patient of his cousin, a doctor in Kilmarnock; while he was working in Canada, one of his patients turned out to be married to a woman who had been delivered by his uncle, a doctor in Coatbridge; in Nigeria he met a teacher whose mother had been a patient of his father in Clydebank; at a ‘Save the Children’ project in Nigeria, he met two nuns who brought him greetings from his great aunt, their Mother Abbess in Glasgow; in the Sudan he opened the door of his surgery one day to find that his next patient was a former classmate from St Aloysius’ College, whom he had last seen forty- five years before. Warm and witty, dry and direct, John loved people, especially children. He tried his vocation as a priest, but found his lasting vocation as a doctor. He loved the Mass – he was proud to have served five Masses on All Souls Day 1942, on board ship en route to South Africa – albeit his preference remained for what is now the Extraordinary Form. He retained a great affection for Ratcliffe, and was quietly disappointed that none of his nephews or great nephews followed him to be educated at the College. John in the RAF Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War His twin sister, Sheila, and his youngest sister, Mary, survive him. Dr John McKay was born on 28th A series of traditional Latin requiem masses have been offered February 1923 in Clydebank, Scotland across the country in accordance with John’s wishes. The and died on 15th February 2012 in Rashwood Nursing Home, Droitwich family would like to thank the Rosminian Order for their aged 88. May he rest in peace. assistance with this. Masses have already been said at Grace Alastair McCallion Dieu and Ratcliffe. Nephew 45 Register o 45 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk