John was born in 1943 during the war in Parkhead Avenue, Gorgie, Edinburgh. He had two older sisters, Mary and Louisa.
In his youth, like most boys his age, John was a keen footballer, however a nasty leg break at primary school meant he could no longer play. John was a talented musician, following after his father and sister who were both musical. The family often played together and John could play several instruments but preferred the cornet, guitar and piano. He was a member of the Salvation Army Band and once played at the Royal Albert Hall.
black and white picture of Salvation Army band featuring John McKenzie
John was introduced to fencing by Professor Bert Bracewell whilst studying Agriculture at Edinburgh University and it became a life-long passion, both fencing competitively and coaching.
Black and white picture of University of Edinburgh fencing club members with the trophies they had won
John joined the University fencing team in 1967 which was the start of a highly successful fencing career. In 1968, he completed a hat-trick by becoming the Scottish University Champion in Foil, Epee and Sabre in the same weekend. The first person to achieve this and a feat that has not yet been repeated.
Although John fenced all 3 weapons, he favoured Epee and had many outstanding achievements across the years. He was a founding member of the highly competitive and successful Lothian Fencing Club from 1969 onwards. He won the coveted Burn Murdoch trophy for Epee in 1969. He was a member of the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games in Canada 1974, the same year he won the Scottish Epee Championships. John also competed as a Veteran for Scotland Great Britain in matches at home and abroad.
Lothian Fencing Club with a large selection of medals and trophies which they had won.
John qualified as a coach in all 3 weapons, with his first coaching qualification in foil in 1968, not long after he had started fencing. John realised early on that coaching fencing was going to be important part of his life. He was one of very few coaches who achieved the accolade to be qualified in Foil, Epee and Sabre at advanced level.
Over the years John contributed significantly as a coach to many clubs and schools with the aim of making fencing as accessible a sport for as many children as possible. He coached for many years at Dunfermline Fencing Club, University of Edinburgh, George Watsons school, Fettes school, Corstorphine Primary and Currie Primary, to name but a few.
John had a rare talent to inspire and challenge his students through humour and a wry smile that meant many of them achieved great success and have continued fencing long after leaving the schools he taught at.
John invested a significant amount of time and energy into developing Fencing in Scotland – not only competing and coaching, but spending countless weekends, either as a parent supporting his children fencing, as a referee for many competitions across the years, or fundraising for his local clubs.
John’s enthusiasm and passion for fencing was apparent to all who met him. He was very much loved and will be sadly missed by his wife Sheila, his children Kerry, Martin, Tracy and Jennifer and his six grandchildren.
Words by Tracy McKenzie
