Lawrence MacLean 1928 – 2023

Lawrence MacLean was born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton Island, on November 4, 1928. The second youngest of ten children, Larry was three years old when his parents moved the family to Hay Cove, a small community on the Bras d’Or Lake, where he lived until he joined the army in 1949.

In 1951, while stationed in Montreal, Larry met Bernice Walsh (d. 2018) and quickly realized he had met the girl of his dreams. Mom and Dad were married on October 4, 1952, and for the next 66 years, transitioning from parenting to being great-grandparents, they experienced the highs and lows of life and loved each other until the end.

After leaving the army in 1970, he followed his passion for the next 22 years, eventually becoming a self-employed custom cabinet maker.

Larry was a lifelong learner. He was curious about anything and everything, and after getting his first computer when he retired, he never looked back. Our Dad loved absorbing information, from reading the Cape Breton Post to learning about European wind turbines. Listening to traditional Cape Breton music on YouTube and Zooming with family and friends were just a few of the many things he enjoyed up to his final days.

Dad also loved hearing about the boat. He mentioned many times how, if he were only 30 years younger, he would be working side by side with us on this project.

Susan (Tim) White of Bathurst, New Brunswick; Jim (Sue) of London, Ontario; Tom (Chris) of Welland; Donald (Leanne) of Drayton, Michael (Leanne) of St Jacobs, and Juanita MacLean of Fonthill will cherish his memory always.

Papa was constantly amazed that someone who came from such humble beginnings could be the reason for thirteen loving and hardworking grandchildren (Matthew, Kathleen, Jonathan, Colin, Cameron, Allison, Carley, Ryan, Brittany, Emily, Ellen, Alex, and Maddie) and nine wonderful great-grandchildren (Lucas, Lachlan, Callum, Luca, Remi, Breton, Henry, June, & Weston).

Dad passed away on December 2, 2023, having reached the age of 95.

We want to express our gratitude to Dr. Joshua Tepper for making himself available at the last minute so that our father could have the dignified death he wanted and deserved.

A special thank you to Diane Gwartz, NP, and Dr. Richard Scott for ensuring everything was in place so that Dad could spend his last day at home surrounded by those who loved and cherished him. Also, we thank Julie Campbell, NP, for what she does to improve access to medically assisted dying.

Thank you to Dr. James Woodland for his empathy and excellent care. 

We appreciate the support provided by Dad’s PSWs, Annette, Patricia, and Collette. 

In place of flowers, donations to the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers (CAMAP), Dying with Dignity Canada, or the Welland & District Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.

A private celebration of life will be held at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens in Fonthill in the spring.