Cameron “Cam” MacKenzie, owner of Adspec Images (asi/32125) in Mississauga, ON, and a long-time member of the Canadian promo industry, passed away suddenly on Nov. 29. He was 61.

Cameron “Cam” MacKenzie, Adspec Images

He founded Adspec in 2002, now part of the CSI Group family of brands, and was a familiar face at industry shows across Canada. “Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Cam will remember his smile, kindness and wonderful sense of humor,” said Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC) in a statement. “Known for his deep love and loyalty to family, friends and the CSI/Adspec team, Cam will be deeply missed.”

In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at Rock Island, QC, supporting his wife and daughters in their many endeavors and running his company with colleagues he considered extended family.

MacKenzie is survived by Jenny, his high school sweetheart and wife of 36 years; daughters Kirsten (Taylor) and Victoria (Matt); grandson Owen; mother Marg; sister Joanne; brothers Jeff (Rosemary) and Greg (Susan); and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, including business partner and best friend Steve Brown. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald, and grandsons Dawson and Hunter.

“I knew Cam for many years prior to joining CSI,” says Orest Kostecki, vice president of sales for CSI Group. “We traveled in the same circles doing trade shows and sharing good laughs and spirits. To know Cam was to love him – he always had a great smile, an amazing sense of humor and a kind word to say. When I started with CSI, he was always in my corner willing to help and teach as much as he could. He’d say to me, ‘I’m so glad you’re my wingman,’ but he was a great captain. He will truly be missed and can’t be replaced. Great memories will live forever.”

Michelle Merrifield, Canadian business consultant at ASI, has fond memories of laughing with MacKenzie over post-event drinks. “The show floor won’t be as bright with the loss of Cam,” she says. “You could always count on him for a big smile, warm welcome, catch-up and a funny story or two when in the aisles, in his booth and on the road at tabletop shows.”

Industry veteran Fred Oesen knew MacKenzie for more than 30 years. “I had the pleasure of working with, traveling with and partying with Cam,” he says. “Like so many in our industry, he worked and played hard. On one occasion in Vancouver, we closed the bar at 3 a.m., returned to our event hotel and rearranged the seating for the following morning, finishing well past 4. Both of us were up and on duty for our guests by 7. I will miss him immensely.”

His family calls MacKenzie “a people person,” with a “larger-than-life personality,” adding that he “made the air around him a little warmer wherever he went. He had a laugh that was so contagious, it hung in the room long after he left it – and it will continue to echo in our hearts and minds, long after we say our final goodbyes to a great, great man.”

A celebration of life will be held the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Markland Wood Golf Club in Etobicoke, ON. The family asks for photos and tributes to be added to the virtual memory book and for donations to be made to MacKenzie’s annual Movember campaign.