Obituary of John Henry McLean

July 24, 1937 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

March 17, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

 

John McLean of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the age of 85 years.

 

John was born in Winnipeg, MB on July 24, 1937. He moved to Calgary, AB in 1959 on a big new adventure, funny fact was that although it didn’t start out the best (having to spend his first Christmas having dinner at a soup kitchen) it turned out to be a great move for him!

 

He had a very successful career in the grain and malting business in his younger years, worked for Pioneer Grain, then the Alberta Wheat Pool and then moved over to Canada Malting.  He was very proud of the fact that he selected all of the grain to make the malt for ALL the beer in Canada… a job that he did not take lightly as good beer was important to people!! It was in this business where he met and ultimately married the love of his life Irene Street.  They courted for just over a year and were married on June 4, 1960.  Dad was always known for his flamboyant style in the business world… often dubbed as the NBC peacock because of his colourful style (was it his style or Irene’s… we’re not sure??).  Corinna has fond memories of ironing his shirts every Sunday for the office… not a wrinkle to be seen.  He was very prideful of his appearance. 

 

In 1977, John and Irene followed their dream of owning their own business and purchased the Heidelberg Inn on the Kootenay Lake.  This is where Dad was able to shine… out in the front of the house interacting with the people and getting to entertain the patrons there… I’m sure that most of the regulars returned just for his humour and quick wit (the food was great too!)  John loved to play the organ, he never had any formal musical training and played by ear.  It was a talent that he loved to share with those around him.  He would always sit down in the restaurant to play a few songs for the customers… they all loved it so.  He would often play at the end of the night just to relax.  It was something that made him truly happy.  He still played every day when he was at home.

 

Dad’s favourite thing to do was to share his life’s experiences and his stories.  We all have great memories of where he would sit you down and have a great chat with you one on one, he was so interested and proud of each and every one of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He always loved when you shared your life with him or went to him for advice or counsel of something that was troubling you or something that was exciting in your life.

 

John’s favourite sayings were:

“Time changes people as people change in time” – Dad was very aware that nothing in this world is constant other than change; he was a major change agent who felt that you either adapt or get left behind… that was in your personal life and in business.   

 

“But how are you doing?”.  He would never want the focus on him, no matter what the circumstances… he was always worried about how you were doing and would shift any focus away from himself.  He would always say, you don’t need to worry about me… I am on borrowed time, I was only supposed to make 3 months old, and here I am 85 and am living on borrowed time.  “I’m like a cat, I have 11 lives” …. When it was pointed out that cats only have 9 lives, he said “Well then, I’m doing really well then” with a big smile on his face.

 

John will be most remembered for his sense of humour and all the stories that he had to share with everyone.  He would always have people laughing. 

 

One memory of the type of humour he has was when he was at the restaurant selling some of the many crafts that Irene would create…. She had made some beautiful handmade rugs.  He was at the front desk of the restaurant showing off this one recent piece… he then says, “My wife is a professional hooker” … the people’s faces were in shock at this statement… he then continues… “Well at 5000 stitches hooked on this rug alone, I don’t know what else you could call her?!?”  Mom was mortified!!

 

Left to carry on John’s love and legacy is his beloved children, Corinna (Wayne)Hartley of Raymond, AB; Cindy McLean of Langley, BC; David McLean (Amy Austin) of Calgary, AB;  his 13 grandchildren, Randy (Cara) Hartley of Raymond, AB; Ryan Hartley, of Leduc, AB; Sheri-Lynn (Lee) Hartley-Hansen, of Crowsnest Pass, AB; Shaun Hartley (Kara MacKay),of Chilliwack, BC; Clayton (Ricki) Hartley of Pink Mountain, BC; Kyle (Candace) Hartley of Sylvan Lake, AB; Connor McLean, of Langley, BC; Lucas McLean, of Athabasca, AB; 15 great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Ariana, Brielle,  Andrew, Ashlynn, Aubrey, Benson, Sawyer, Brigham, Holland, Lilah, Braelynn Hartley & Avery, Alexa and Cooper Hansen.

 

John is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

 

John was predeceased by his beloved wife Irene McLean (nee Street) his parents George F. McLean and Amalia E “Iris” Eberhardt, his siblings Jimmy McLean, his twin sister Donna (Bob) Scott and Mitch McLean.

 

Dad, we want to thank you for all your gifts of love and laughter that you have given us over the years. We will always miss the sound of your voice, the wisdom in your advice, the stories of your life and just being in your presence.  You made a difference to every person you touched, and we thank you for that.

 

We are sure that you heard mom calling you to be with her… (she never was that patient) … we are happy that you are now with her and the rest of your family once again.  Very fitting that you returned to your family on the biggest beer drinking day of the year… you cheeky little leprechaun.  Raise a beer for Dad.

 

Dad always said to us “I had a good life, and I loved my life”. Thank you all for making our dad’s life exceptional!!

 

A private family gathering will be held at the Kootenay Lake at a later date.  Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared here for all to share in the memory of his life. 

 

In living memory of John McLean, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.