NEW GLASGOW – John Hugh “Jack” MacLean, former mayor of New Glasgow, passed away on Aug. 25, 2014.
Jack was born in New Glasgow, NS, on Sept. 4, 1929. He was a wonderful man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He adored his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was married to his wife, Pat, for 58 years. Everyone who knew Jack enjoyed his sense of humour, his kind demeanour, and his friendly nature.
Jack attended New Glasgow schools growing up, and was high school president in his senior year. He obtained science and education degrees from St. Francis Xavier University, and taught high school in Stellarton, Trenton, and Pictou. He also spent time as superintendent of schools in Trenton. His last years of teaching were at Stellarton Vocational School. Jack was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame as part of the St. FX hockey team, he was a member of the Pictou County Grads Rugby team, and he enjoyed playing recreational ball with the Melmerby “Magpies”. He was a devoted fan of the Montreal Canadiens for the major part of his life, and he successfully passed on his Habs enthusiasm to his children and grandchildren. He took up golfing when he retired and liked playing golf and relaxing at his winter home in Florida. His summers were spent enjoying the family cottage at Melmerby Beach.
Jack was a councillor for the Town of New Glasgow for two terms, and Mayor of New Glasgow for two terms, for a total of 12 years. He served on many committees, such as, the school board, recreation, police, and library. He was instrumental in the establishment of the New Glasgow Regional Library.
Jack is survived by his wife Pat; son, John MacLean (Elsie); daughters: Karen Kerr (Paul), Susan Breen (Don), and Brenda MacLean (Nick); grandchildren: Lowell (Janet), Leslie (Patrick), Allie (Tyler), Amanda, Jonathan, Justin, Renee and Jacki; his great-grandchildren: Sawyer, Sophie and Ainslie. He is also survived by his brothers: Bob (Laura), Ducky (Viola), and Harvey; sisters, Kay, and Betty (Roddie), sisters-in-law, Doris and Darla.
He was predeceased by parents Hugh John and Loretta (Fogarty) MacLean, sisters, Isabel and Marion, and brothers, Joe and Sonny.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Friday, August 29 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the R.H. Porter Funeral Home in New Glasgow. Funeral mass will be Saturday, August 30, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, High St., New Glasgow. Father Gary MacPherson will officiate. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
In memory of Jack, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Condolences may be sent by visiting: www.rhporter.ca