October 19: Yesterday was the 12th death anniversary of Father William Mackey. The late Father William Mackey came to Bhutan in the 1960’s and earned himself a special place in the hearts of the people of Bhutan. A pioneer of modern education, he was awarded the Druk Thugsey Medal by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

Father William Mackey was born in 1915 in Montreal, Canada. A son of Irish immigrants, young Bill Mackey took keen interests in games like ice hockey. He played for championship teams in both junior and senior high school leagues.

He had a catholic primary education and spent 13 years in training before his ordination in 1945.He left Canada and joined the Darjeeling mission in north east India in 1947.

By the 1960's, Bhutan had embarked on planned development activities. Under the farsighted vision of the Third Druk Gyalpo, the kingdom was on the path towards modernization including reforms in education Father William Mackey came to Bhutan in early October 1963.

There were 20 Hindi and English medium Schools then. He began his work in earnest and in 1964 he began a school with seven boys in an abandoned cow shed near Tashigang in eastern Bhutan.

The late Father William Mackey is seen as a pioneer of modern education in Bhutan. With his dedication to work and his gift to interact with people from all walks of life, Father William Mackey grew a deep and lasting bond with Bhutan and her people.

Affectionately known as Father Mackey, he still occupies a special place in the hearts of the Bhutanese people, many of who had the privilege of studying under his tutelage.

Most of his time was spent in rural areas, a place where he felt at home and happy.

Father William Mackey left his home in Canada and found his second home in Bhutan. If today Bhutan enjoys excellent relations with Canada, many observers credit Father William Mackey for planting the seed of this friendship.

For his contribution to the kingdom and the people, Father William Mackey was awarded the “Druk Thuksey” medal, by His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo in 1973.
Druk Thugsey Reverend Father William Mackey was granted Bhutanese citizenship in 1985.

Committed to the education and well being of the Bhutanese people, Druk Thugsey Reverend Father William Mackey served as Honorary advisor to the division of education until the day of his demise.