William McLEAN

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McLEAN: William (Bill) Campbell Charles McLean passed away at the Assiniboine Centre at the age of 85 on Monday, October 11, 2010 with his family by his side. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 plus years, Mary, daughters Heather (Ralph) Warman, Carol (George) Dennison, Joanne (Charles) Cobb, nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, adopted daughter, Janice and family and many more relatives and friends. He also leaves to mourn, two brothers, Harry, Bruce (Donelda) one sister and one sister-in-law, Isabel (Ray) and Olive Hanson and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, Alex and Annie, sister-in-law, Joan, brother- in-law, Harris, son-in-law, Dale, niece, Anna and nephew, Duncan. Dad was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the eldest son of Alex and Annie. He grew up on the farm at Douglas, took his schooling at Derry School and then worked in Brandon at Trents Bakery and the Manning Pool. He joined the Navy at seventeen and stayed until after the war in 1945. While training in Toronto he met Mary Watkinson, who was in the RCAF, and they were married December 22, 1944 in Cobalt, Ontario. While out of the service he worked in the gold mines in Northern Ontario. He rejoined into the Army in January 1947 and served his 25 years. His military career took him from Korea to Egypt, Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta. His home was always in Manitoba so it was fitting that he retired here. Dad went on to do many jobs from foreman of the cleaners in Shilo to working at a resort in the Whiteshell, went to Red River Community College twice to get his 3rd and 4th class stationary engineer ticket and then worked at BU, Simplot, BRHC and the Sportsplex, went to Vancouver Island and ran a restaurant, back home, then to BC again working for Weiser Locks, home again and finally retired for good in 1990. Dad loved to travel and throughout his life he and mom were all across Canada and the United States. Dad’s passion was reading and the local histories of families in our community. He loved to go to their homes, share stories, and write about them for the Carberry Newspaper. Dad was also a long standing member of the Carberry Legion and the Masons. One of Dad’s greatest joys was to have my family live right next door to him and mom and watch my children grow up. Ty was Grandpa’s boy his entire life and he was so proud of Chris and her independence. In 2006, after a trip to see mom’s sister in Ontario, mom fell and broke her hip and from there she eventually lost both her legs. Dad looked after her from then on doing whatever he could for her. Dad’s life was dedicated to mom right up until three weeks before he passed on. The family wish to thank the staff at the Assiniboine Centre on the 2nd and 3rd floors for the care and compassion they gave Dad and the support they gave our family. We would also like to thank Greg at Memories Chapel for the help and consideration he gave us. A memorial service was held on October 16, 2010 at Memories Chapel with interment at Madford Cemetery.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 20, 2010