HAY RIVER - Capt. Grant McKenzie, a well-known mariner on the rivers of the NWT, has died.

Capt. Grant McKenzie: Truly at home in the wheelhouse of a vessel. - photo courtesy of Laurie Townend

McKenzie, 62, died on Jan. 25 after a battle with lung cancer.

Born in Wilkie, Sask., he moved to Hay River in 1968 to work alongside his uncle with the Canadian Coast Guard.

"He came up as a deckhand and worked his way up," said long-time friend Tom Maher.

McKenzie's early work with the Canadian Coast Guard was the start of a decades-long marine career in the NWT.

In the early 1970s when he was in his 20s, he became one of the youngest captains on the Mackenzie River when he took command of the tour boat Norweta.

Over the years, he even sailed on the Arctic Ocean.

McKenzie spent many years on the ferries at Fort Providence, Fort Simpson and Fort McPherson, operating them through his own company under contract with the GNWT.

His last job, which he left in July of last year as his illness worsened, was as captain of the tugboat Kakisa, operated by Northern Transportation Company Ltd. at the mouth of the Hay River.

McKenzie was a hard worker and loved being a mariner in the North, Maher said. "He was truly at home in the wheelhouse."

Jack Rowe, another long-time friend of McKenzie, said he always had to be busy.

"I would say he was one person who enjoyed life," Rowe said.

The prominent Hay River businessman said McKenzie was also in business through his company S&T Enterprises, which at one time operated heavy equipment and ran the liquor store in the community.

McKenzie was an honest and obliging person, very personable and good for the community, said Rowe, who knew him for about 40 years. "He was just a pleasure to be around."