Donald Roy MacLean
Born In: Neil\'s Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: March 2nd, 2009
Donald Roy MacLean, 79, passed away peacefully Monday, March 2, 2009, at the Glace Bay Health Care Complex after a short illness.
Born in Neil’s Harbour, he was the son of the late Murdock and Flora (Strickland) MacLean.
He joined the armed forces in 1954 seeing most provinces in Canada, including a tour in Germany for two years as well as serving with the United Nations in Egypt for one year. He had the opportunity to work the 1974 Olympics where he transported athletes during their stay in Montreal. He was stationed to the Sydney Radar Base in 1970 and there he continued to serve until his retirement in 1979.
For the next 20 years he was probably best known as a rink attendant at the Dominion Complex. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an avid hockey enthusiast. He thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the many players he met. Although a colourful character who was never afraid to voice his opinion, he was a man with simple needs.
Donald Roy is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Helen Mary (Kosick) MacLean; four children, Joan (Paul) Desveaux, Cheticamp, Donna (David) Peach, Glace Bay, Colleen (Glen) Miller, Glace Bay; and son, Donald (Crystal) MacLean, Stellarton. He was affectionately called Grandfather by his grandchildren, Ryan, Jason, Shannon, Clinton, Renee, Grampie by Jeffrey, and Poppy by Samantha and Taylor; great-grandchildren, Jaden, Angelina and Grace.
D.R. is also survived by his sister, Louise (Eldred) Wareham, and brother, Roddie (Irene) MacLean.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Norma MacLean.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Glace Bay, with Rev. Vernon Reid officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences to the MacLean family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near.
