Thomas Hugh "Tom" MacKay

Thomas “Tom” Hugh MacKay , 76, of Bluffton, South Carolina, passed away on July 2, 2025. Born in Dover, Ohio on September 22, 1948, he was the son of the late David Hugh MacKay and Jane Elizabeth Thomas MacKay.

Married to the love of his life, Louise Ann Pierce MacKay, the two met at Ashland College in 1970 and were inseparable for 52 years. They were married at Westminster Presbyterian Church on September 11, 1971 joined by their close friends and family. The two enjoyed countless Ohio State Football victories, historical adventures, casting a fishing line, and a bagpipe or two over the years and so much more.

A proud graduate of Dover High School in 1967 and playing football for the Tornados throughout his high school career. Later attending Ashland College graduating with a bachelor’s degree and many memories with his Sigma Nu brothers. Afterwards he started his career as a retail manager for such companies as Woolworths, Ames, Computer City, and CompUSA.

Tom enjoyed spending his time in many ways including working on his Thunderbird, watching car races, playing golf, cheering on various football teams, diving into history, and above all his passion for cooking. He often reminisced about days spent fishing at Severn Lodge with the family and all the magical memories shared. You would often finding him watching the food network “Beat Bobby Flay” was ago his many favorites.

His life was devoted to his family and friends and preparing countless meals together. He was always pushing the limits of everyone’s tastebuds and the passion he felt truly making him a foodie.

Tom’s leadership was that of inspiration always willing to jump in and help he believed in “Always being the first one with your hand down the drain.” and instilled that in his daughter. Tom’s sense of humor was second to none always wanting people to smile and laugh. A bit of a jokester in his prime leads to many boisterous laughs and some interesting tales. His smile could light up a room and get him out of a few sticky situations.

He leaves behind so many that loved him including his daughter Katherine “Katie” MacKay, sister-in-law Karol MacKay, nephews David MacKay, Grant MacKay, Jason Riel, and his niece Erin Riel Price along with their families.

In addition to his wife Louise MacKay, Tom is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Susan MacKay, and his four-legged children that bought so much joy to his life.

Services will be held in Bluffton, SC at Sauls Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 8th starting at 11am in addition to services held in Dover, OH at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home on Friday July, 11th at 12pm with Pastor David Wing officiating. Friends can call on Friday from 11:00-12:00 pm.  

In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in the name of Tom MacKay.