Richard A. Mackey

Richard A. “Rick” Mackey, 55, of Dellroy, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 21, 2004, at his home.Born on December 31, 1948, in Dover, Ohio, Rick was a son of the late John Charles Mackey and Mary Dana (Turson) Mackey Gibbs. He was a 1966 graduate of New Philadelphia High School, and a l968 graduate of the Babson Instiute where he obtained a degree in business administration with a major in accounting. His special love for his brother, Mike, inspired him to do post-graduate work at Akron University and to earn a Bachelor’s degree in special education.He became a special education teacher at Baltic Elementary School in the Garaway district and at three Canton area schools, including Allen Elementary and Belden Elementary. He retired from teaching in 1992.Rick’s musical abilities, first apparent in high school where he was active in the Quaker Marching Band and the high school orchestra, continued throughout his life. He was a drummer in several area bands, went on the road with the Carol Jones Band and the Outsiders, and was a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dominic Greco Band.He also enjoyed working with electronics and raising miniature dachshunds.Rick will be missed by his sisters, Peg (Jim) Maney of Dellroy, Patty (James) Touse of Signal Mountain, Tennessee; brothers, Charles Mackey of New Philadelphia, David (Gloria) Mackey of New Philadelphia, Robert (Linda) Mackey of Sherrodsville, James (Cheryl) Mackey of New Philadelphia, and Michael Mackey of Sherrodsville, with whom he spent much of his free time; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews; and his dear friend, Bonnie Mackey of Sherrodsville.His parents and one sister, Marilyn Mackey, preceded him in death.Visitation will be at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia on Thursday, December 23, 2004 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday, December 24, 2004 from 10 to 11 a.m. A service to celebrate his life will be conducted in the funeral home chapel by Pastor Chuck McNatt on Friday morning at 11 a.m. A reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home, will follow the service.Burial will be on Monday, December 27, 2004 at 10 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in New Philadelphia.Memorial contributions may be made to the Carroll Hills School and Workshop, 2167 Kensington Road NE, Carrollton, OH 44615 or to the Carroll County Humane Society, P.O. Box 234, Malvern, OH 44644.