Creighton Luther MacKinley LTC Retired

Creighton Luther MacKinley’s family wishes to share the news that Mac, as he was affectionately known, departed for heaven on December 2, 2024. Mac was born on January 14, 1930, and passed away peacefully in Nashua NH just shy of his 95th birthday. 

Mac was predeceased by his wife Grace (MacDonald) in 2014, his parents Ralph and Grace Mae McKinley, all eight of his siblings, and his grandson Jason Smith. He is survived by his two children Lauchlin (Lonnie) MacKinley and Norma MacKinley-Smith and her husband Scott Smith; and grandchildren Sarah MacKinley, and Geoffrey and Andrew Smith. Along the way Mac gathered countless friends who became as family to him. We will all remember him for his compassion, keen intellect, sense of humor and generosity. 

Mac leaves a tremendous legacy. He often said the most important thing he ever did was to marry Grace. They were married on June 23rd, 1949. He was a member of the First Church UCC in Nashua for decades and served in many capacities. He also served as Boy Scout Troop 7 Assistant Scout Master. Mac was the longest serving member of the Rising Sun Lodge #39 in Nashua and a Scottish Rite Mason for over 60 years. There is no end to his to his life stories of adventure! Most recently he enjoyed attending Pilgrim Church UCC where he was buoyed by what he referred to as the “good karma” of many who were so kind to him. No words can express the family’s gratitude to the members and friends of Pilgrim Church.

He considered himself blessed in multiple ways, from attending “Fresh Air Camp” as a child all the way through to his very last days. He worked more jobs during his school years than anyone could count, yet he found time to hop the railroad cars into Boston to visit the Museum of Fine Arts, and he hitchhiked to Mississippi to visit family on more than one occasion. 

When he was in the 9th grade he met Grace MacDonald and he maintained that he was “Saved by Grace” (and the entire MacDonald clan). He had many professions along the way, and he most enjoyed working with his father-in-law as a partner in MacDonald and MacKinley Builders, building homes in the Nashua area. He was a member of the U.S. Army (active) and Reserve for 34 years. His duties included Infantry and Artillery, and he was a graduate as well as an instructor of the Command and General Staff college. He was a proud graduate of Jungle Expert Survival training program in Panama. He had mixed feelings about his military career but he enjoyed parachuting and was proud of his many accomplishments, especially as a pilot.

He and his beloved wife traveled the Caribbean often with groups of friends. After he retired they travelled the United States extensively in their 5th wheel and especially enjoyed their time with Norma and Reggie Walker. They spent many winters together in Florida at McDill Air Force Base. Mac also enjoyed trips to Brazil, Mexico, Scotland and Canada. 

 A Celebration of Life will be held at Pilgrim Church, 4 Watson Street in Nashua NH on January 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM. Mac and Grace will be interred at the Evergreen Cemetery in Nashua on their 76th wedding anniversary.