January 25, 1939 – March 17, 2024
On Sunday, March 17, 2024, George Dan Charles MacLean departed quietly surrounded by his wife, three children, their spouses, and his six grandchildren at Guelph General Hospital.
George was born in Sydney, Cape Breton, N.S. on January 25, 1939, the eldest son of Archibald and Katherine Mae MacLean (nee MacArthur). He is predeceased by sister Carole Maroney and his brother-in-law Fred Phillips. George is survived by brother Gordon (Theresa) and sisters Betty Phillips, Catherine Isman (Doug), and Christine Heffernan (Jerry) and brother-in-law Edwin Maroney.
The MacLeans moved to Guelph when George was three, where he quickly developed his devilish sense of humour, talent for mischief, and irresistible charm. Gifted with natural athletic ability and rock star good looks, George attended GCVI before transferring to John F. Ross CVI where he met the love of his life, the equally athletic and dazzling Marlene Larkin. Thus began a romance that was to last for 66 magical years.
Above all, George was devoted to his family, especially Marlene. The young couple were blessed with three children: Dale, Tracy, and Cheryl. In those early years they would spend Friday nights with his parents, playing cards and laughing with whoever dropped by. Then it was back to the home they shared on Clive Ave. with Marlene’s mom, the unsinkable Marge Larkin who, once she got past George’s teddy boy haircut, came to adore the man her daughter had chosen to spend her life with. Summer holidays were spent with his brothers and sisters, either in Bennington, Vt. or at Archie and Mae’s cottage in the woods on Lake Huron. Later in life, winters were spent in Florida, often joining his brothers and sisters, along with the many new friends they made there.
They also enjoyed the dear friendship of a wonderful cast of characters here in Guelph, from their lifelong high school buddies to the friends they met through curling, golf and the various activities that their children and grandchildren were involved in. George was a tireless participant in coaching and volunteering with kid’s sports teams. Many of the young athletes knew him as the “Candy Man”, as he always had a bag of pink mints to share. George was passionately involved in the coaching and development of his eldest grandson, Karri Oksanen, who was a gifted baseball and hockey player. Sadly, Karri was lost to an accident in 2012, a tragedy which broke George’s heart.
After retirement, George became active in volunteer work at the Guelph General Hospital, and also volunteered at Guelph Lakes Golf Course. He even did some background acting for television and can be seen on episodes of Street Legal and Wind at My Back. George was an avid golfer and curler, as is Marlene. He loved Elvis, and later in life, bluegrass. Always reading, George had a hunger for learning. Not a day would go by that Curious George didn’t find some new subject to explore and the coming of the internet was a godsend to a man with such an inquisitive mind.
Family and friends were everything to George. He had a special relationship with each of his children and grandchildren, all of whom he adored. He was immensely proud of all their accomplishments. He spent no time trying to impress anyone. He spoke ill of no one, and it was unusual to hear anyone speak ill of him. He loved life and he truly loved people. His warmth and sense of humour, his honesty, and his boundless generosity were all hallmarks of a man who stood out from the crowd without ever calling attention to himself. George was easy to like, easy to love, and very, very hard to say goodbye to.
George is survived by his wife, Marlene (nee Larkin), children Dale (Cathi Krewicki), Tracy Oksanen (Peter), Cheryl Rickers (Blair), and grandchildren Jean-Luc Krewicki-MacLean, Madeleine Krewicki-MacLean, Alexis Oksanen, Parry Rickers, Jack Rickers, and Payton Rickers. He is now reunited with grandson Karri Oksanen.
The family is incredibly grateful for the wonderful care George received at Guelph General Hospital, especially the kindness and compassion of the 4th floor nursing staff. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Guelph General Hospital.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday April 20th 1:00 – 4:00 at Victoria Park Golf Club
Care for the family provided by Passages Cremation and Burial