Edward E. Mackey, Sr., 84, of Punta Gorda, Florida, formerly of Indiana, passed away on July 30, 2025. Born June 28, 1941, Edward Mackey was the son of the late Evelyn C. (Alberts) Mackey and Cyril Portman Mackey of Altoona, PA. A graduate of Altoona Area Senior High School, Class of 1959, Mr. Mackey attended the Pennsylvania State University at the Altoona Campus for one semester while awaiting an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. Upon graduating from West Point in May 1964, then Lieutenant Mackey, graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School and the prestigious Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA, Dahlonega, GA and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Lt. Mackey then served in Germany and at Fort Bragg, NC prior to assuming command of an artillery unit in support of the U.S. Marines in Dong Ha, Vietnam from September 1967 to September 1968. While in Vietnam, Captain Mackey received the Soldier’s Medal, the highest military award for heroism not directly combat-related. During the 1st Tet Offensive (1968), his valor was recognized for saving two Marines from certain death in an exploding ammunition bunker. Additionally, Cpt. Mackey was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal as well as numerous other campaign medals and decorations.
Upon leaving the U.S. Army, he attended the highly regarded Wharton Graduate School, University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated 2nd in his class with a Masters of Business Administration degree in Finance. Mr. Mackey accepted a position in the Flanning Group located at the corporate headquarters of FMC Corporation in Chicago, IL. Here, he served on numerous special projects working directly for the president of FMC. In 1972, Mr. Mackey was transferred to the Material Handling Equipment Division of FMC in Homer City, PA. Initially, he served as Assistant to the President of that division. Mr. Mackey also served as International Marketing Manager and Manager of the Blairsville, PA Manufacturing Plant. Mr. Mackey began his career as a financial advisor in 1975 when he joined Babbitt, Meyers & Co, a regional brokerage firm based in Pittsburgh. Over the next four decades, Mr. Mackey developed a clientele that numbered nearly 5,000 clients located in 40 states. While ownership of his parent company changed hands five times, Mr. Mackey served as Branch Manager of the Indiana, PA office. He was selected as a 2010 David Brady awardee, Merrill’s highest national award for service above and beyond for clients, colleagues, and community. His popularity with his clients and his performance overall as broker and financial advisor eventually led him to the position of Senior Vice President – Investments, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He retired from this position in March 2015.
During Mr. Mackey’s life, his greatest source of pride was found in his wife of more than 60 years, Cecelia, his three children and two grandchildren. Ed & Cece Mackey have been major benefactors within the Indiana community. They have both served on the Board of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Foundation for many years. Mr. Mackey served as President of the Board of the IUP Foundation for two years. Mr. Mackey also dedicated 9 years to serving on the White Township Municipal Authority. The Mackey’s were substantial financial supporters of the Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) where one of the emergency rooms was named in their honor. Mr. Mackey served on the first capital campaign committee for the IRMC. Also, he was the General Chairman of the first IUP capital campaign for the St. Thomas More University Parish for which the Mackey’s were major contributors.
One of Mr. Mackey’s most satisfying accomplishments was being instrumental in establishing the Graham Sefton Baskin and Anna Mae Sweeney Baskin Foundation. From its inception in 1995, Mr. Mackey served as Managing Trustee of the Foundation, which has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 750 worthy nursing and physical education degree candidates. Without question, Mr. Mackey’s greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. A special pleasure was the time he spent with his children and grandchildren. He was often heard saying “the best possible role that exists in humanity is that of a grandparent”.
Ed & Cece were world travelers. Over a period of more than 40 years, they visited all seven continents, and at last count, nearly 100 countries. Ed was an avid sailor. Ed and his son were certified bareboat charter captains. They often sailed on the Chesapeake Bay with their family. Ed completed training in Celestial Navigation, Coastal Cruising and Offshore Passage making, and sailed to Cuba and back with a team of highly skilled sailors. Ed was also a serious hiker. In 2015 & 2016, Ed completed hiking approximately one-third of the Appalachian Trail.
Mr. Mackey is survived by his wife, Cecelia, his three children, Lisa (Timothy) Thomas of Raleigh, NC, Edward, Jr. of Lancaster, PA and Loren (Gregory) Alico of Naples, FL, two grandchildren, Nicholas Alico of Boston, MA and Emily Alico of Naples FL, and a brother, Dr. William F. Mackey of Alexandria, VA.
Ed Mackey was an eternal optimist. He believed that every day was an opportunity to do good work for someone whether that person was a relative, a friend, a client or a stranger.
Friends will be received at the Bowser Minich Funeral Home, 500 Ben Franklin Road South, Indiana on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM where a blessing service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11 AM. Private Interment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated to either the United Way or the Salvation Army.
