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George Caldwell MacLean

George Caldwell MacLean

Passed in: North Sydney

It is with profound sadness that we announce George’s peaceful passing Monday at the Northside General Hospital on Feb. 2, 2015, just days before his 81st birthday.
A quiet, intelligent man, George was revered by his family. He grew up in Cape Dauphin, Victoria County, helping his father fish, before buying his own lobster licence for 25 cents. After the birth of his son, he moved his family to the Boston area, where he pursued a career as an air conditioning and refrigeration operating engineer. He was a graduate of the Franklin Institute of Technology and did advanced training in York, Pennsylvania.
Dad spent most of his career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington. He also worked at Quincy Cold Storage and Honeywell. After becoming disabled, he moved his family back to Cape Breton in 1970.
George was a tall, powerful man who was known to give those close to him a strong handshake or a warm embrace. He swam with many a child clinging to his back, be it at a family reunion at Inverness Beach or after a canoe overturned on the Concord River.
Dad loved and was fiercely proud of his children and his grandchildren, and their spouses. In his later years, and in his final days, the mere mention or thought of his two young great-grandchildren would bring a huge smile to his still handsome face. Dad played racquet sports and hockey. He took his kids to Fenway Park and was a big fan of the Red Sox and Patriots.
George was a long-time resident of the Park View enriched housing apartments at the Northside Community Guest Home. In his first decade there, he was a helpful handyman to his older neighbours and enjoyed his morning coffee dates with staff. In later years, he was the one who needed help, and he got it. Maintaining his independence was a family goal, and he met it with the loving support of Marge. He liked nothing better than a good meal, especially if it was free. Lobster and cabbage rolls were two of his favourites.
George is survived by his son, Greg (Debra) MacLean, North Sydney; his daughter, Tammy (Major Steve) Turner, Ottawa, and the mother of his children, his beloved Marjorie. He will be forever remembered by his grandchildren, Siobhan MacLean (Donnie) Pye, Erin (Andrew) Finnigan, North Sydney, and Shaeleen (Mitch) Power, Florence, and his pride and joy, great-grandchildren, Callum and Déia. George is also survived by his brother, Roy (Gladys) MacLean; sisters, Marguerite Allen and Shirley Blois; his frequent companion and nephew, John MacLean and a large extended family.
He was predeceased by his father, Roderick; his mother, Annie (MacRae) MacLean; brothers, Archie Don and Bill MacLean and sister, Christine Edge.
There will be no visitation by request. A funeral service for family will be held at the Fillmore and Whitman Funeral Home, Sydney Mines Friday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. with family friend Rev. Ritchie Robinson officiating. Interment will take place in the spring at New Campbellton Cemetery.
We would ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Cairdeil Place Society, P.O. Box 1865, Sydney, Nova Scotia, B1P 6H7.
Online condolences can be made by visiting www.fillmore&whitman.com.
“For those who loved him, he was father, grandfather, brother, friend and hero”


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John D. Steele’s & Sons LTD. Monument Manufacturers
902-794-2713
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Thoms Flowers
902-849-8989
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