GEORGE CAMPBELL (CAM) MACLEAN

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GEORGE CAMPBELL (CAM) MACLEAN At sunset on Saturday, March 22, 2008, George Campbell (Cam) MacLean passed away at St. Boniface Hospital with his loving family by his side. Cam is mourned and will be deeply missed by his wife of 61 years, Elsie (Christensen) MacLean; his son Cam and his wife Joy and their two children, Campbell and Joanna; his sister Isabelle (Lew) Miles and brother Bob (Dorothy) MacLean; and numerous nieces and nephews. Born in St. Boniface, Manitoba on March 3, 1921, Cam was the son of Jean and George C. MacLean, who was mayor of St. Boniface for 18 years. Cam is predeceased by his parents and by two of his sisters, Alexandra (Buck) Buckingham and Georgette (Paul) Fee. An overarching theme in Cam's life was a dedication to his country, his province, and his city. He fulfilled this work with distinction. His ability to contribute manifested itself early in his life. In Europe in 1944, as a forward observation officer serving at the time with the South Saskatchewan Regiment his bravery and initiative led to his earning the Military Cross for gallantry in action. He was decorated at the front by Field Marshall Montgomery and went on to attain the rank of major. But that was just the beginning of a very full and distinguished life. In 1950 Cam graduated with a law degree from the University of Manitoba and eventually became a co-founder and senior partner in the law firm Newman, MacLean. In addition to a busy general practice Cam spent some 25 years as Municipal Solicitor for the City of St. Vital and the City of Transcona prior to their amalgamation with the City of Winnipeg, and was solicitor for the City of Steinbach for many years. Cam was also heavily involved in labour management relations and served as Chairman of the Labour Management Review Committee. Besides being a labour arbitrator, he served as sole Arbitrator under the Northern Flood Agreement. Cam saw confrontation as running counter to good labour relations and strove to find solutions acceptable to all. His skills as a conciliator were employed throughout his life. Cam could of course be a strong advocate for a cause in which he believed or a position he deemed to be correct. Cam was very involved with numerous service groups and organizations. His contributions emerged on many fronts. He served as President of the Progressive Conservative Association of Manitoba, President of the St. Boniface Norwood Kinsman Club, President of the Assiniboia Downs Turf Club, Chairman of Rainbow Stage, Chairman of the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation, Vice-Chair of St. Boniface General Hospital, Events Chair for the visit of Pope John Paul II, Chair of The Forks Renewal Corporation, a director on the boards of the Manitoba Cancer and Research Foundation and the Manitoba Tourist and Convention Association, and Chairman of the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation. He was also a member of the Khartum Shriners, the Keystone Masonic Lodge, and the Norwood Legion. To see examples of good works in which he had a hand, we need only look around because they are everywhere: St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre (in 1992 the Research Centre building was renamed the G. Campbell MacLean Building in his honour), The Forks and Rainbow Stage. With humility and steadfast determination he worked to make the community a better place for everyone, whether that meant better health care, better labour relations or an evening of musical theatre to delight young and old alike. Perhaps Cam's myriad involvements are a testament to his natural tendency toward inclusiveness, conciliation and respect. The St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation was a cause dear to his heart. His own personal collection of mementos of his work for the Foundation includes photographs of him with Research Foundation International Award recipients such as Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Andrei Sakharov, Rosalynn Carter and Jehan Sadat and a St. Boniface Hospital pin given to him by the Grey Nuns and the Foundation which he always wore. Cam recognized the value of Rainbow Stage as a training ground for Manitoba talent as well as a world class venue for entertainment. He treasured a letter he received from a visitor from England praising the Rainbow production of Brigadoon, which the writer considered superior to versions she had seen in England, including one produced in London's West End. Among the honours bestowed upon him were his appointment as Queen's Counsel, the Order of Canada, an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Winnipeg, the Distinguished Service Award from the Manitoba Bar Association, the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Manitoba, induction into the City of Winnipeg Citizens' Hall of Fame, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal and of course the thanks of people he has helped in a personal or professional capacity. Cam had great praise and appreciation for the people with whom he worked to make things happen. Cam and Elsie enjoyed their time with their wonderful friends and their many travels and winter holidays. Cam loved his home at the lake. He always made sure the bird feeders were well stocked for the many birds that visit. Most of all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren, Campbell and Joanna. Those of us who were lucky enough to know Cam will remember him for his kind and generous nature, for his unshakable faith and tenacity in good causes. His incredible spirit of giving to the community and the example he set have inspired and will continue to inspire. He was a leader and a visionary who often said, in one way or another, Once you've dreamt it, it's a reality and it's going to happen . A private family service has taken place. A public celebration of Cam's life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the G. Campbell and Elsie MacLean Endowment Fund at the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation, Room D 1003, 409 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, or to the charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 29, 2008