PORT TOWNSEND— Andy Mackie, the founder of the Andy Mackie Foundation who is credited with teaching several thousand kids how to play an instrument, died today at a care facility in Jackson, Mich.
He was 72.
“Heaven got the greatest harmonica player this afternoon,” his daughter Laurie Wolford said in a Facebook post.
“Thanks for the prayers and the love.”
Mackie, who had been ill with heart problems for many years, developed musical education programs in Jefferson County and has taught thousands of children on the North Olympic Peninsula to play harmonica and guitar.
Jack Reid of Port Townsend, a close friend who recently wrote and taped a tribute to Mackie called “Angels Walk Among Us,” sent out the news of Mackie’s death just before noon.
“I know this was expected but it doesn’t make it any easier.” Reid said.
“Andy was a dear friend to thousands of people who will miss him,” said Matt Sircely of Port Townsend, a mandolin player who had known Mackie since 1999.
Services are pending, with a celebration of life planned in Port Townsend in the next few months.
