John Andrew McLean, age 90, Island East River, Pictou County, passed away on Thursday, October 31, in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.
Born in Eureka, he was the son of William Stetson McLean and Catherine (Fraser).
He graduated from Stellarton High School, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and MacDonald College with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps as a Commissioned Officer. In 1951 he studied agriculture in the United Kingdom as a Nuffield Foundation Scholar and returned to Island East River as the fifth generation on the McLean farm. He was active in a wide range of farm and community organizations. He served as a Director of the Nova Scotia Milk Producers Association, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Director of Scotsburn Cooperative Dairy Ltd., Vice Chairman of the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board, Director of Pictou Farmers’ Mutual Fire Insurance, Chairman of Northern Business Opportunities (NOBL), Elder and Clerk of Session Zion Presbyterian Church, Eureka and Elder of First Presbyterian Church, Hopewell. He was happiest when he was home on the farm surrounded by family and friends. He was keenly interested in genealogy, maps, dictionaries and politics. He was most proud of having his three children involved in agriculture and his five grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Ellen Signe (Beck); daughter Elspeth (Peter Wile) Wileville; Neil (Karen Ingraham); Malcolm (Nancy MacLean); grandchildren: Laura (Evan Mounce), Maren (Christain Persaud), Peter, Eric and Hannah.
He was predeceased by an infant daughter Karen.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Saturday, November 2 at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, King St., New Glasgow. The funeral will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Hopewell on Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Kenneth MacLeod and Rev. Dr. Norman Marple presiding. Burial will take place in the Riverton Cemetery.
Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Palliative Care Society of the Aberdeen Hospital, the VON or First Presbyterian Church, Hopewell.
www.angusfuneralhomes.com