The Reverend Wray MacKay, interim co-Rector at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish of Orcas Island, passed away on April 30 at St. Joseph Medical Center after an injury in his Orcas home on April 25.

He served at Emmanuel with his wife, Reverend Kate Kinney over the past year bringing much joy and support to the parishioners. Wray would have celebrated his 85th birthday and 60th anniversary of ordination into the priesthood later this year.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kate, his sons David and Peter Mackay, and his daughter Margaret Eckman, as well as by his grandchildren, Gregory, Molly, Claire, and Luke MacKay, and Peter Wray Eckman.

Rev. MacKay was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and the General Theological Seminary where he also served as a professor of pastoral studies for several years.

During his career, he served parishes in Indiana, New York, and western Washington. Wray was an early supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, participating in the 1965 March from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the epicenter of pastoral care for people with Aids in New York City, and a leader in diminishing the terrible effects of food insecurity and poverty serving as co-directed World Hunger Year (founded in 1975 by folk singer Harry Chapin).

He also was serving as a spiritual director to many people in western Washington State at the time of his death.

A memorial service celebrating his life was held at Emmanuel on May 7.