MCLENNAN, LAIRD MATHESON
Laird Matheson McLennan passed away in Fredericton, NB, on April 30, 2015 after a brief illness. Born in Annapolis Royal, NS, on November 9, 1933, he was the seventh son of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Ewan McLennan and Helen Mae Lavers McLennan.
Laird is survived by his wife, Carole (Forrest), his brother George (Katherine) and his sisters Jean Storey and Sharon Dewar; his brother in law, David Forrest (Marlene) and his sisters in law, Margaret McLennan and Barbara McLennan, as well as a large and extended family of cherished nieces, nephews and cousins, and a wide circle of dear friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Joan MacLeod, and brothers Philip, Bruce, Charles, John and the Rev. Donald McLennan.
As a child of the manse, Laird moved many times in his early years, from Stellarton to Charlottetown, Montreal, Truro and Ottawa, and in each new school, made life-long friends through his competitive participation in team sports. He was an outstanding athlete, and starred on many championship and all-star teams, excelling in basketball, rugby and baseball.
Laird graduated from West Hill High School in Montreal and Truro Academy. He studied commerce at Mount Allison University for two years, then worked in Woodstock and Toronto for a several years. Following his passion for athletics, however, he returned to school and graduated from UNB, with a degree in Physical Education in 1963, and later from Montana State University in Bozeman with a MSc. in Education.
By profession, Laird was an educator, a high school teacher, guidance counsellor and athletics coach at both the high school and university level. He commenced his teaching career in Centreville, NB where his men’s high school basketball team delighted many fans with their competitive championship play throughout the Province. Over the years, he taught in various schools in New Brunswick and at Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife, NWT. Laird went on to coach college basketball and football at Mount Allison University, where he was a good friend and mentor to many young men and women over the years.
In retirement Laird remained active in the community and, among other things, was a volunteer at the DECH for 17 years, serving both at the front desk and the Memory Clinic, and on its Ethics Committee. A man of many interests, Laird was an avid reader, enjoyed classical music and opera, as well as the Carter Family from Virginia, and always completed the NY Times Crossword puzzles. A loyal sports fan, he supported the New York Yankees and the Montreal Canadiens his entire life.
Ever the adventurer, Laird embraced the wilderness, and considered himself fortunate to have explored many isolated areas of the world, from the South Nahanni in the North West Territories to the Chobe River in Bostwana. He hiked the rugged highlands of Scotland where he was feted as the “seventh son of the seventh son”, made many trips through the Rockies in Western Canada and fished the rivers of Montana. Closer to home, he loved the Saint John River and the beauty of the Tantramar Marshes and Jolicure Lakes of Westmoreland County every summer. Laird was drawn to the sea, and enjoyed his time at the cottage at Baie Verte, NB, where he swam several months of the year, rowed his beloved dory, and entertained many a visiting child with his wonderful repertoire of songs and stories.
To those who knew him, Laird was an extraordinary man who will be lovingly remembered for his wise counsel, his irrepressible sense of humour and his ever kind and generous nature.
A memorial service, with interment to follow, will be held at The Kirk in Northampton, NB, at a later date.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital Foundation, the Kirk Cemetery in Northampton, NB, or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be made at www.mcadamsfh.com, (506) 458-9170.