David Wellington McLean

David Wellington McLean, 62, of Wethersfield, cherished husband of Julie (Roberts) McLean, died Friday, (May 17, 2013) at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in Waterbury, he was the son of the late Harry and Doris (Olson) McLean and grew up in Windsor. David was a graduate of the University of Connecticut. He also attended The Computer Processing Institute. Left blind by a cancer in infancy, David never let his disability stand in the way of happiness. His zest for life endeared him to family, friends and co-workers. He loved music. He knew music. He played music as a base player in a band. He had perfect pitch, and if you could not recall the name of an old rock 'n roll song, David could. David had a sense of humor, too, and a dry wit. Throughout his life, he was dedicated to physical fitness, whether treadmill, stationary bike or weight training. He and Julie enjoyed riding tandem bicycles with friends. He was a Boston Red Sox fan since childhood who sat in the stands at least a game or two each season, and otherwise listened faithfully to Sox games on the radio. In the days before he passed away, he kept a Red Sox cap on his pillow in honor of his father, who taught David everything he knew about the game. David recently completed a distinguished career as a Data Base Administrator at Aetna Life & Casualty, retiring after 35 years of service. In 1998, the National Business & Disability Council named him its Outstanding Employee of the Year for ""outstanding accomplishment in advancing employment opportunities of persons with disabilities."" David also lived in Middletown and Cromwell before moving to Wethersfield 22 years ago. Besides Julie, the love of his life, who shared 19 special years with him, David is survived by two sisters and their families, Barbara D. McLean-Pelletier and her husband Donald of Windsor, and Karen M. Curley and her husband Dennis of Enfield; a nephew, Jeff Legere; and two nieces, Stacie Curley and Shannon Curley. David was predeceased by a nephew, Dustin Curley. David also is survived by his in-laws, Jim and Sally Roberts of West Hartford; a brother-in-law, Thomas Roberts and his wife Sandra of Lawrenceville, NJ; a sister-in-law, Susan Grant and her husband Steve of Farmington; and three nieces, Marilyn Voelker, Allison Sterner and Kolby Roberts, and a nephew, Scott Grant.

The funeral service will be Friday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at First Church of Christ, 250 Main St., Wethersfield, with the Rev. T. Michael McDowell officiating. Burial will be private in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, May 23, from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Foodshare, 450 Woodland Avenue, Bloomfield, CT 06002. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.