Norman “Earle” MacLean, 88, of Halifax and Caribou Island, NS, passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2011. Born July 30, 1922 at the family farm on Caribou Island, he was a son of the late Norman MacLean and Mary Johnson. Earle served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War, rising to the rank of flying officer. He was a wireless/air gunner (tail gunner) in a Lancaster bomber in the European campaign and also served in the Middle East, Africa and India. Following the war, he attended the University of New Brunswick, graduating in 1950 with his Bachelor of Engineering, Civil. He enjoyed a lengthy career with the Nova Scotia Department of Highways. He was a founding member of Calvin Presbyterian Church in Halifax, and a life member of the Mayflower Curling Club where he played the “the roaring game” and off the ice was an avid card player every Tuesday night. Earle was also a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Pictou, NS, a life member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia and the Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors. He was a Master Mason in good standing in Keith Lodge #17 G.R.N.S. Earle was most at home at Caribou Island, boating in the harbour, tending his garden, laying in his hammock between the apple trees in the orchard and enjoying visits with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois Belle MacDonald, sons, Norman (Mary); Phillip (Barb); daughter, Lori (Steve); four grandchildren (Leigh-Ann, Ryan, Alex and Olivia) and three great-grandchildren (Kaiden, Jillian and Maria), who were all the apple of his eye, brothers, Bert and Doug and sister, Norma. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Curtis and Smith and sister Vera. Arrangements are under the care of McLaren Funeral Service in Pictou, NS where visitation will be held Tuesday, July 26 from 2 – 4 pm and 7 – 9 pm. Funeral service from the McLaren chapel at 2 pm on Wednesday, July 27, followed by graveside service at Waterside Cemetery and reception at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church hall in Pictou. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earle’s memory to the Royal Canadian Legion, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or a charity of your choice. Virtue mine honour