A dark-haired boy with sparkling eyes and a charming smile, Mackenzie MacVane was an adventurous soul who chose to live life with enthusiasm.
“He was the free spirit, he always lived life to the fullest,” said close family friend Carol Lebarge. “He taught us to live life to the fullest everyday with no regrets, just the way he did.”
The 13-year-old Windham boy died last week while swimming with friends at the Eel Weir Dam in Standish. Mackenzie left his friends to climb 40 feet above the Presumpscot River in order to walk across a cat walk leading to the dam’s power house. When he reached the cat walk, he stood up and accidentally came in contact with a live electrical wire, falling 40 feet into the river. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of death.
“It’s a tragedy,” said Hal Shortsleeve, principal at Windham Middle School. “He was a kid that I got to know well. He was engaging, respectful and just fun to be around.”
Mackenzie excelled both academically and socially, Shortsleeve said.
“He really enjoyed all aspects of school. He was fully able to enjoy the entire middle school experience,” he said.
Mackenzie, who lived with his family on Otter Drive, was an exceptional snowboarder and in 2005 was invited to take part in the USA Snowboarding Association’s national competition in Colorado. His dream was to become a professional snowboarder.
In the summer he kept his boarding skills sharp by skateboarding. He belonged to the DARE to Adventure program and spent a lot time at the Windham Skate Park.
“He had a real adventurous spirit,” said Dave Baker, Mackenzie’s football coach. “He was always showing up at practice all skinned up from jumping his bike or skateboarding. He always lived life to the fullest.”
A Little League All-Star and football player, Mackenzie was an athletic boy with a competitive spirit.
“He was an awesome competitor,” Baker said. “He was a key part of the football team. On the field he did what was best for the team; he lead by example.”
In honor of Mackenzie, football players in all Windham leagues will adorn their helmets this season with stickers featuring Mackenzie’s number.
“The boys are all sad,” said Danielle Morse, owner of Danielle’s Sebago Diner. Morse’s son, Matt, has been playing football with Mackenzie since the third grade.
“Matt brought a football to practice and had all the players sign it for Mackenzie’s parents,” Morse said. “They just don’t know what to do or say right now, it’s really hard for them.”
Outside Danielle’s Diner, Morse has posted a tribute to Mackenzie which reads: “Mackenzie MacVane, your teammates will miss you.”
Saying goodbye; the sign outside Danielle’s Sebago Diner in Raymond shows how widely regarded Mackenzie MacVane was. MacVane, Windham, died last week in an accident on the Presumspcot River. Staff photo by Heidi MacVaneSend questions/comments to the editors.
