Uncle Ralph was the uncle who took the time to talk with you and always made you laugh. He was kind, gentle, strong and seemed to see the good in everything. He was a true hero and I often told the story of his life to others. I am proud to say he was my uncle. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with our cousins as they go through this loss.

~Shannon Duane Ethan Sydney and Connor

I first met Ralph McLean in November 2017, he was 95.

I was surprised to see such a big family on the Remembrance day lunch, I saw the respect he had from his family.

After that, I visited him once in a while at the Chartwell Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence, there were so many family pictures hanging on the wall. He enjoyed his friend's visitation, and asked me to come more often each time when I left.

Sometimes, I bought him his favorite maple walnut ice cream, and we enjoyed the ice cream together while chatting about everything.

He still goes to church every Sunday in his age of 90s, and we sang hymns together for almost 30 minutes the last time I visited him. I trust he’s singing hymns with his beloved wife in Heaven now.

To me, Ralph was not only a war veteran, but a good friend of mine, and definitely a good and faithful servant of God.

If riches could be totaled in blessings, Ralph was wealthy indeed.

He blessed so many lives and he gave so much.

We will miss him and thank God for him.

Sueann Leung

Ralph was one of my favourite veterans. It was a pleasure working with him, learning his stories, and being able to showcase his artifacts in The Military Museums' 2011 traveling exhibit "Ring of Fire: Canadians in the Pacific", where thousands of Canadians and Americans got to learn his amazing story. My favourite photo of any veteran is of him at the opening of that exhibit. I feel richer having known him, and it was an honour having been able to talk to him. His story is so inspiring - in spite of having been through such challenging experiences in WW2 he became such a positive person, and is truly one of the stars of Mark Sakamoto's book "Forgiveness". We will be showcasing his story again in our WW2 exhibit this year. I always loved that he said goodbye to me by saying "God Bless You". My chance to return the favour: God Bless You Ralph.

Rory M. Cory

Senor Curator

The Military Museums, Calgary

Counting Ralph's time at Belcher, we had been next door neighbors for almost 35 years. Mr. McLean was the only person that came knocking to welcome our family to the neighbourhood and introduce himself. Over time he filled us in on the previous 30 years of our home's history next to his. He loved his lifelong home, and during my visits with him at Belcher, he welcomed news of it's standing, and listened with much interest which houses were being torn down for new developments on Victoria Crescent.

His memory remained sharp through age and could recall names, birthdays, events and anniversaries better then most of us. I often joked that he had a better social life then myself to boot, never saying no to any invitation, always eager to be around people. Many years back (he'd remember what year - not me), his cruise ship made a stop at Malta where he welcomed the chance to meet my folks. Along with his long time friend Ike they were picked up by my brother, and taken for an enjoyable summer afternoon sitting on a cool terrace by the sea. He kept a vivid recollection of that day and the local grapes and drinks he was served as they chatted away. He continued to send them Christmas greetings and regards from thereon. It was clearly his nature to fondly remember his relationships with everyone he met. Not quite young himself, he visited his centurion friend Ike twice a week by public bus, when Ike was in a home.

Every other summer when I took my kids to Malta, he would gladly and considerately keep an eye on our place, even fixed the storm door when it blew open with the wind. My kids have fond memories of him too, with special mention of my youngest enjoying pool with him in his basement many times. Liam says Mr. MacLean had a quiet, peaceful demeanor and enjoyed being around him. There were also treats he personally brought over for the kids on special occasions when they were younger. Now older, they were particularly interested to read his grandson Mark Sakamotos's 'Forgiveness' about Mr MacLean's (as they called him) in-depth early life and his time at war. We felt even more pride and respect toward him, and the privilege for having had him as our neighbour. We all feel it odd not to have him around still after all these years.

He was a single parent for a long time. I never had the chance to know her, but his wife Phyllis remained the love of his life, and often teared up at the mention of her name. The evergreen he planted in her memory still stands tall between our back yards. In Earth time it has been a long wait for Ralph to finally be with her again. I am sure she was keenly waiting to embrace him back in her arms. May they be happy again together through eternity.

Perhaps it was as a POW that Mr McLean learned to value life. Whatever the case, he was determined to live it well. What I'll always remember him for most is how unwaveringly he believed that kindness, not conflict, would be the way to spend his years as a free man, shaped by his own examples.

I loved working with Ralph over the last year and a half. He was such a loving and generous man, and I learned so much history from him. You could see the love and pride he had in his family. Marilyn, Blake, and family, you have often been in my thoughts this past month. I miss seeing your Dad (grandfather and uncle), my days aren't the same without him.

As a long time immigrant in Calgary from Hong Kong, little did I know about the history of the Battle of Hong Kong because it was not covered in my high school years. I was humbled by the story of Ralph when I had a chance as a journalist to interview him about 10-12 years ago. A fine gentleman, who you could not find the negative emotions in him, was also a great storyteller. I felt like I was talking to my grandpa than talking to a stranger.

After a dozen years, it is still an absolute honour for me to have known him, to have been able to create a short documentary to bring his story to more strangers, especially HongKongers and Canadians. Thanks for sharing your story, passing us a great legacy. I will continue to champion your will.

Our deepest condolences to all of Uncle Ralph's family

My close association with Uncle Ralph has been for many years -since moving to Calgary. We became a close knit family spending time together, family camping, family weekend dinners and just having fun and enjoying a close extended family. When Hans and I married, Uncle Ralph gave me away and Aunt Phil and Uncle Ralph made our reception available to us in their home. Uncle Ralph is forever in our hearts and much loved by us and generations after.

Rest in peace Love you forever Marion & Hans

Marion & Hans

It was great working with Ralph at Cominco and my deepest condolences to his family and GOD bless.

Duncan Murray

So hard to say good bye to such a kind and spiritual person. I will never forget the dinners and going to church with Uncle Ralph and family. My condolences and prayers go to the family.

There are so many memories of Uncle Ralph and Aunt Phyllis. There home was a place that we went to for Sunday dinners with our families. Just the smell of the house. The laughter from Uncle Ralph. My brother Andrew and I playing downstairs in the basement with Doug. It seemed to the normal. I think that we were there at least once a month. Staying there for a few days overnight for whatever reason and Uncle Ralph coming in to check in on me to make sure that I was OK. Going on holidays to Jasper with the two families. Sometimes Uncle Ralph would get a bit grumpy. But he came by it honestly. His brother Art and my Grama his sister both had a little bit of the hot tempers. Later on we would be go to the Sunday gatherings and these times we would bring our girlfriends. Uncle Ralph always made us feel at home. His home was your home. My wife Sharlene met Uncle Ralph when she was only 18 and she always felt that Uncle Ralph was such a gentle soul. Life got busy as we got older and the Sunday dinners faded away. Something that I always missed and wished that our kids had better contact. But they all know about Uncle Ralph and all his accomplishments and all the Stories. They may not have seen him as much as they could have, but they know him. Going to miss that GREAT OLD MAN, but he will NEVER be forgotten. Love him tons. We will miss him dearly.

Michael and Sharlene Bauer

Mr. Maclean was such a wonderful friend! I enjoyed many visits after work through the years when I didn't have family at home needing me to attend to them, and in the past few years Robert and I have visited a few times together. We dearly loved him and his commitment to God and love for people was evident in every moment we shared. He is already missed by us so much. One time I took supper over to his house and we ate out on the deck, sometimes he would choose a restaurant on the far side of the city just for a chance for us to drive around and see something different. One of my favourite dinners out was at Carriage House Inn, and I think we were there for 3 or 4 hours, just talking, and drinking another cup of tea before finally heading home through some of the communities, off the major routes, and commenting on all the lights of the city.

Everytime we go to the coffeeshop at Colonel Belcher, Ralph would say, "Desiree, get anything you want, tell them to charge it to my account."

One time, I asked him if he would want the sardines from the cupboard for snack. He said we'd share, and it was good! After a while Marilyn called. Ralph was like, "you know what, me and Desiree had sardines. She finished all of it!!!

My Saturdays are not the same anymore, but I know Ralph is happy with our Creator now. He was such a great great man.

Thanks to Marilyn and family.

We all were touched by this amazing man. We are richer for having had time with him and heaven has embraced our treasure.

I am very blessed to have known Ralph. Although we had a long-distance friendship, different time zones, races and age; I treasured this fellowship with this brother in Christ very much. May God bless Ralph and acknowledge his sacrifice during WWII, through what Ralph did when he was young as a Canadian soldier. He had a special feeling about HK. I am very lucky to be one of his Hong Kong friends. It was a joy to read his letters and was lovely to listen to his laughs in all those long-distance calls over these years. About a month before Ralph was very sick, he still called me and asked if my family was fine in HK due to the coronavirus. Ralph had a very big heart. I will never forget this gentle hero.

From friends in Hong Kong

Beatrice, Tim, Chloe and Zoe Koong

We will definitely miss Ralph. He was an amazing man who never let life's difficult circumstances keep him from living fully. He was humble and generous with a great sense of humor! We appreciated the times he treated us to a meal out! It was an honor to know him and to be a part of his life. We celebrate the faithful Christian he was, the great contributions he made to others and a life well lived!

My deceased husband Elwyn and I have many fond memories of Ralph and Phyllis

My condolences to his family

Gwen Grobe Schmidt

Was saddened to hear of Ralph’s passing. Ralph a second cousin- would faithfully send me a cheque and an note to update me on his doings for the St.Lukes Cemetery in Grindstone Magdalen Islands. I will miss his notes. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies. May he Rest In Peace. And let light perpetual shine upon him. Kerry Dickson , Magdalen Islands

Ralph and his family were friends with our family. We went to the same church for all of my growing up years. It is the church Ralph still attended until he was unable to do so. My dad, Dan Robb, respected Ralph and enjoyed a rich friendship with him. I remember them often going for coffee at the Highlander Hotel. I always noted that Ralph was a "class act." This included not just the way he carried himself but also the way he dressed.

It is difficult saying goodbye to many of these "staple" people from Calgary First Church of the Nazarene. Ralph was one of them. Farewell to a classic! I hope you and my dad have reconnected in Heaven and are able to enjoy each others company once again...❤

It was an honor and privilege to know Ralph. We have been blessed by him many times over and his legacy will continue on. As Blake said he set a standard and has made us better people. May we follow in your footsteps. It's not goodbye Ralph, we shall see you again soon!

Dennis and Carrie Millman

I met Mr Maclean on the 1985 Hong Kong Pilgrimage. I was there to visit my Dad’s, WG, resting place. So since then I have regarded all HKVeterans as Uncles as they were Brothers in arms with my Dad. I have not seen him since. Having joined the HKVA in 1986 and receiving the newsletters and read them I got more in tune to them and attending the Winnipeg Reunion as often as I was able. Mr Maclean has always been one I remembered. When I was made aware of Marks book I was able to loan it from our local library. I’m not a reader but I was determined to read this one. I’m so glad I did. It did teach me to forgive.

Mr Maclean was a very special person in so many ways. To have him, after all he lived through, to age 97 has been a real gift.

I offer all his family my sincerest sympathy. Joyce Swanson-Sewell Manitoba.

Ralph will forever be my dad. I’ve known him for 50 of my years and to say that he has always been there for me is an understatement. Thoroughly a gentleman. A hero. A fine man who brought so much laughter, wisdom and strength to us all.

Waiting for the day we meet again!