Looks like Mac passed in 1998, taking his own life.

From The National Post of November 11, 1998, this:
"Vancouver * Bearded broadcaster Mac Rymal, whose animal stories were a fixture of Vancouver's CBC television news during the 1980s, has died at the age of 57. Rymal started his career as a rock 'n' roll disc jockey in southern Ontario, but quickly made the transition to television, working as an on-air columnist for CBC's Ottawa supper-hour news. He later joined the CBC's training department. He left television in 1988 and joined the faculty of Vancouver's Langara College School of Journalism, where he introduced hundreds of aspiring reporters to the basics of broadcasting. In a note left before he died, Rymal stated that he didn't want a funeral, but said a wake would be acceptable. His many friends and colleagues will honour his request tonight at Vancouver's Anza Club, 3 West Eighth Ave., at 6:30 pm."


And from the Vancouver Sun of November 16, 1998, this blurb:
"Mac Rymal, the former CBC-TV reporter and journalism teacher, took his own life recently at age 57. But the 1960s echoed in words he left for his wake: 'I've spent all the money. Smoked all the pot. Drank all the wine. I have enough cigarettes to last me through this last night. And, truth to tell, I never wanted to be 60 anyway.'"
 

Thanks for the information.  Sounds like the same guy.  I don't recall Mac working in the promotions department at 'ML.  That was Agnes Anderson's domain.  Mac worked in the newsroom with Hal Gibson, Warren Beck, Lloyd Dafoe and others.  I do recall he liked his pot, wine and smokes.    .