The UBC Thunderbirds family is mourning the loss of Archibald Alan "Archie" MacKinnon, who passed on August 28, 2026. A man of rare drive, vision, and grace, he captured the hearts of a nation as a member of the "Cinderella Four", the UBC coxless fours team representing Canada that stormed to a gold medal finish at the 1956 Olympics before forging a successful and rewarding career in finance.

MacKinnon was the last surviving member of the Cinderalla Four, his crewmates who combined to shock the rowing world decades ago included Lorne Loomer (1937-2017), Walter D'Hondt (1936-2021), and Donald Arnold (1935-2021)

Born in Cranbrook, British Columbia January 13, 1937, MacKinnon chose to attend the University of British Columbia (UBC) to study electrical engineering and, even though he had never rowed, to try out for its expanding rowing program under extraordinary coach Frank Read. Only a freshman, he became a member of a rowing crew composed of novices like himself which stunned the international sporting community at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics when as underdogs captured the Gold Medal in the coxless fours by the largest margin to that date. As Rowing Canada observed, "Their fiery determination has inspired generations of Canadian Olympic rowers that have followed in their lead."
 
MacKinnon followed this historic victory with a Gold Medal at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and a Silver Medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics -- Canada's only medal. His contributions to Canadian sport earned him induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, BC Sports Hall of Fame, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, UBC Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame.
 
After graduation, while working in Toronto for General Electric and later the Ford Motor Company, MacKinnon paired his technical background with an MBA with honours from York University's Schulich School of Business. He served as Vice-President of CDC Ventures Inc. until relocating to Calgary Alberta in 1983, where he established a highly successful second career in venture capital and investment banking as President and CEO of Alta-Can Telecom Inc. (1983-1988), followed by four decades as President and CEO of SutterHill Capital Corporation, a boutique investment banking firm focused on the Telecommunications and Energy Industries. Among his many associated directorships, he served as president of the Association of Canadian Venture Capital Companies.
 
Beyond his professional endeavors, MacKinnon remained deeply intertwined with his dual passions for athletics and community advancement, serving as President of the Calgary Rotary Clubs Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Medals Committee for the 1988 Calgary Olympic Winter Games, and Director for the Calgary Research and Development Authority and the Alberta Microelectronics Centre.
 
Predeceased by his parents Eric Charles and Ivy Elsie MacKinnon and younger brother Paul Marshall MacKinnon, Archie is survived by his wife of 47 years Judy, nephews Eric and Yvan MacKinnon and sister-in-law Monique MacKinnon.
 
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Dr. Scott Strum and the medical staff of Unit 57, Foothills Hospital, and to the many friends who provided exceptional comfort and support to Archie during his final days.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation https://albertacancer.ca