George Coventry McLean

I AM PROUD AND HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN ASKED BY GERTIE AND THE FAMILY TO TAKE PART IN THE CELEBRATION OF GEORGE MCLEANS LIFE.

I HAVE KNOWN GEORGE FOR ABOUT SEVENTY YEARS, SINCE HE AND HIS OLDER SISTER GERRY AND YOUNGER BROTHER GORD MOVED ONTO DOWNING STREET JUST ACROSS FROM OUR HOME.

THIS WAS AN IDEAL PLACE FOR KIDS TO GROW UP IN THOSE DAYS WITH SARGEANT PARK AND ITS’ SWIMMING POOL IN THE SUMMER AND THE SKATING AND HOCKEY RINK IN THE WINTER, LESS THAN HALF A BLOCK AWAY.

THERE WERE LOTS OF YOUNG FAMILIES AND LOTS OF CHILDREN OF ALL AGES TO PLAY WITH AND THE MCLEAN’S WERE A WELCOME ADDITION. THEIR HOME BECAME A GATHERING PLACE FOR ALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ACQUIRED A POOL TABLE, WHICH SAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR BASEMENT. WE ALL LEARNED THE GAME THERE AND GRADUATED TO ARLINGTON BILLIARDS IN OUR EARLY TEENS.

BEING A COUPLE OF YEARS YOUNGER THAN HIM, I GUESS GEORGE WAS LIKE AN OLDER BROTHER TO ME AND I FOLLOWED HIM INTO WORKING AT CPR AS A SUMMER JOB. AND THEN WHEN I WAS TWENTY ONE I JOINED THE WINNIPEG FIRE DEPARTMENT 2 YEARS AFTER GEORGE HAD. OUR FRIEND PETER HUMBLE JOINED ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER I DID.

GEORGE FOLLOWED IN HIS FATHER, GEORGE SENIORS, FOOTSTEPS INTO RAILROAD WORK. MAC AS THE BOYS CALLED HIM, BUT NOT TO HIS FACE, WAS A PIPEFITTER AT THE TRANSCONA SHOPS AND #1 ON THE SENIORITY LIST THERE. GEORGE STARTED AT THE CPR AS AN ENGINE WIPER AND SOON BECAME A HOSTLER AND A FIREMAN.

AT THE AGE OF TWENTY ONE AND AS A FAMILY MAN AND LOOKING FOR STEADIER JOB, GEORGE JOINED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE OFTEN TOLD THE STORY THAT WHEN HE WAS INTERVIEWED BY CHIEF DUNNETT AND ASKED WHY HE WANTED TO BE A FIRE FIGHTER HE REPLIED THAT HE WAS TIRED OF STARTING FIRES AND WANTED TO PUT SOME OUT.

AS GEORGE AND I GREW UP WE DID THE THINGS THAT MOST YOUNG FRIENDS DO LIKE STANDING UP AT EACH OTHERS WEDDINGS AND BEING GOD FATHERS TO EACH OTHERS CHILDREN. IN FACT WITH SOME OF GEORGES CHILDREN I TOOK A MORE PROMINENT ROLE. WHEN THE TWINS, KENNETH AND TRACY WERE BORN GEORGE AND I WERE BOTH FIREFIGTERS. WE MADE ARRANGEMENTS THAT I WOULD HELP HIS WIFE AND WORK FOR HIM IF THE BABIES ARRIVED WHEN HE WAS ON DUTY. ONE EARLY SATURDAY EVENING WHILE GEORGE WAS WORKING I GOT A CALL, GOT INTO MY UNIFORM, JUMPED IN MY CAR, PICKED PAT UP AND DROVE HER TO THE OLD GRACE HOSPITAL. AFTER I HELPED HER INTO THE EMERGENCY I HURRIED OUT AND DROVE TO #8 STAION AND RELIEVED GEORGE WHO RUSHED TO BE WITH HIS WIFE. LATER WE WERE TOLD THAT SOME OF THE NURSES WERE A BIT CONFUSED WHEN ONE GUY IN A UNIFORM WHO THEY ASSUMED WAS THE FATHER RUSHED HER INTO THE HOSPITAL AND LEFT IN A HURRY AND ANOTHER GUY IN A UNIFORM SHOWED UP FOR THE BIRTH ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER. I GUESS THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

GEORGE SPENT 37 YEARS AS A FIRE FIGHTER WORKING IN SOME OF THE BUSIEST HALLS FOR MUCH OF HIS CAREER. AS WITH ALL FIRE FIGHTERS HE FACED MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. IN ONE INCIDENT AS LIEUTENANT OF #5’S RESCUE HE AND HIS RESCUE MAN, LES WAHL, ENTERED A BUILDING AT PORTAGE AND KENNEDY THAT WAS FULLY INVOVLED IN FIRE. THEY CRASHED THROUGH A BURNT OUT FLOOR WITH FLAMES SURROUNDING THEM. WITH SMART FAST USE OF THE RADIO THAT GEORGE CARRIED AND GREAT WORK BY THE FIRE FIGHTERS UP TOP A LADDER WAS LOWERED TO THEM AND THEY MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE BURNING BUILDING WITHOUT SERIOUS INJRY OR WORSE. WITH TYPICAL FIRE DEPARTMENT HUMOUR WHEN THIS STORY WAS TOLD IT WAS SAID THAT THE TRUE HERO OF THE INCIDENT WAS LES WAHL WHO SURVIVED HAVING BIG GEORGE FALL FROM EIGHT FEET ON TOP OF HIM.

IN OUR YOUNGER YEARS WHEN WE WORKED FOR BARRY FRY’S DAD BILL AT PORTEOUS CATERING, AS DID ALL THE YOUNG GUYS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, GEORGE AND I MADE A PACT THAT WE WOULD HELP EACH OTHER MOVE HOMES WHENEVER A MOVE CAME UP. SOMEHOW THIS TURNED OUT NOT TO BE SUCH A GOOD DEAL FOR ME. AS I MOVED ONCE AND WITH GEORGE I LOST COUNT AFTER WE HIT DOUBLE FIGURES. ONE OF HIS MOVES WAS INTO THE LLOYD’S BASEMENT WHERE HE WAS A WELCOMED GUEST FOR A FEW MONTHS. HE HELPED AT THIS TIME IN MY CHILDREN’S EDUCATION AS I AM SURE ALL MY KIDS TRIED THEIR FIRST CIGARETTES WITH ONE THAT THEY SNAFFLED FROM GEORGE’S BED SIDE.

FOR THE LAST THIRTY ONE PLUS YEARS, GEORGE HAS BEEN WITH GERTIE AND HE SETTLED DOWN, AS MUCH AS HE COULD. HE AND GERTIE ONLY MOVED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES. DURING THESE HAPPY YEARS. AS GEORGE STILL WORKED ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THEY BECAME PART OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF RODNEY’S RESTERAUNT AND BAR ON NESS AVENUE, WHERE GERT WAS CHEF AND BARTENDER AND GEORGE WAS PART TIME MANAGER AND FULL TIME CUSTOMER. HE RETIRED FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS BATTALION CHIEF. HE ALSO WORKED FOR BRUCE AND THE PEOPLE AT A & B MECHANICAL FOR 10 YEARS, BEFORE AND AFTER HIS RETIREMENT.

HE AND GERT TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY AND ENJOYED TRIPS TO EUROPE, ASIA, CRUISES TO THE CARRIBEAN AND TRIPS TO TEXAS AND FLORIDA.

DURING HIS FIRE DEPARTMENT YEARS AND AFTER HIS RETIREMENT, GEORGE WAS ALWAYS DEEPLY INVOVLED IN FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES.

HE WAS A TOP COMPETATIVE CURLER AND TWICE REPRESENTED MANITOBA WITH HAROLD PURPURS TEAMS IN THE CANADIAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS. HE WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS GAME AND FISH ASSOCIATION. HE WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINATORS OF THE RETIREMENT BREAKFAST FOR THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND HE CONTINUED TO SERVE AT THESE BREAKFASTS WITH HIS FRIENDS FRANK LANYON, GEORGE BEDWELL AND JIMMY PALMER, RIGHT UP UNTIL THE LAST ONE IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. HE HAS BEEN WITH THE FIRE FIGHTERS FISHING DERBY WHERE HE HAS BEEN PORK PROMOTER AND HOT DOG CHEF FOR MAY YEARS AND WHERE RECENTLY ONE OF THEIR MOST PRESTIGIOUS TROPHIES HAS BEEN DEDICATED IN GEORGES NAME. GEORGE WAS ALSO A LEADER IN THE HELP GIVEN TO THE SALVATION ARMY BY PLATOON #5 AND THE FIRE FIGHTERS AS A COOK AT SANTAS BREAKFAST AND ON THE 7-11 WAGON OR AS A VOLUNTEER DURING THE FLOODS AND WITH TOY MOUNTAIN.

IN LATER YEARS GEORGE RECONNECTED WITH HIS CHILDREN IN A BIG WAY WITH THEM INDULGING IN BARBEQUES, DINNERS OUT AND SPECIAL NIGHTS OUT WITH HIM AND GERTIE AT THE RACE TRACK, WHERE A RACE WAS NAMED AFTER HIM THIS SUMMER.

GEORGE HAD MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS OVER THE LAST SIX TO SEVEN YEARS STARTING WITH AN ANEURYSM, WHICH HE SURVIVED AFTER BEING TRANSFUSED WITH THIRTY SIX UNITS OF BLOOD, WHICH HAD THE NURSES AT THE HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE – ICU CALLING HIM THE “IRON MAN”.

HE CONTRACTED OCCUPATIONAL CANCER AND DURING CHEMO HE HAD A HEART ATTACK ANDRESCUED FROM HIS CARE AND RESUCITATED. AFTER HE THOUGHT HE WAS CURED OF CANCER IT RETURNED AND WAS NOT CURABLE. GEORGE TOLD ME THAT WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THIS INFORMATION BY THE DOCTORS THAT HE WOULD CARRY ON JUST AS HE HAD IN THE PAST AND THAT IS JUST WHAT HE DID UNTIL HIS LAST HOSPITALIZATION. HE CONTINUED HIS MORNING BREAKFAST WITH HIS SALS PALS, HIS AFTERNOONS WITH FROSTY AND THE BOYS AT THE “STAGGER INN”, VISITS TO THE ASSINIBOINE DOWNS WITH DAVE JOSS AND ME, HIS OUTINGS WITH HIS KIDS AND EVEN THE ODD VISIT TO THE KIRKFIELD HOTEL WHERE HIS AND GERTS FRIEND KEITH DANGERFIELD DESCRIBED HIM AS HIS OLDEST STEADY CUSTOMER.

HE EVEN GOT OUT TO THE SENIORS GOLF TOURNAMENT TO GOLF WITH HIS FRIEND FRANK LANYON AND IRV BINNE ANDJOINED ALL THE GOLFERS IN A FEW DRINKS, A BANQUET AND A GOOD CONVERSATION.

BUT MOST OF ALL HE ENJOYED AND OFTEN MENTIONED RELAXING IN HIS BEAUTIFUL BACK YARD AT HOME WITH GERT AND GREETING MANY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS WHO HAPPENED BY.

I GUESS THE BEST PART OF BEING A LONG TIME FRIEND AND KNOWING THE FAMILY OF A PERSON IS THAT YOU LEARN THINGS ABOUT THEM THAT OTHERS AREN’T AWARE OF. FOR INSTANCE ANYONE WHO EVER ATE A MEAL OR HAD A BEER WITH GEORGE KNOWS HOW HE ACQUIRED THE NICNKNAME “SHAKEY”. WHAT MANY DON’T KNOW IS THAT ALL THE MCLEAN MALES HAD THE SAME ISSUE TO A GREATER OR LESSER DEGREE. THIS ONLY GOT WORSE AFTER A HARD NIGHT OF PARTYING, THAT’S WHY ON A SUNDAY MORNING AFTER WHAT I KNEW HAD BEEN A HARD NIGHT FOR THE GUYS I WOULD BE UP BRIGHT AND EARLY KNOCKING AT THE BACK DOOR ASKING MRS. MCLEAN IF I COULD WATCH THE GUYS EAT BREAKFAST.

GREAT MEMORIES OF A SPECIAL GUY.

SO HERE’S TO GEORGE MCLEAN

MANS MAN

FIRE FIGHTERS FIRE FIGHTER

AND

FRIENDS VERY BEST FRIEND.

* * * * * * * * * *

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, George McLean, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Grace Hospice.

George will be sadly missed by his loving partner of 30 years, Gertie; his children, Nancy (Daryl), Jo-Anne, Sandra (Phil), Tracey (Robin) and Kenneth (Barb); step-children, Christine (JP), Johanne, Raymond (Sheila) and son-in-law Bruce; grandchildren, Derek, Sean, Kyle, Sydney, Brooke, Dylan, Natasha, Ainsley, Brittany and Kalem; his buddies, Dennis and Frosty; his brother Gord (Margaret); his beloved dog Gucci and many friends and relatives. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Gerry.

George began his career with the City of Winnipeg Fire Department in 1957 and he retired after 39 years of service in December 1995, as a Battalion Chief. He dedicated many hours of his time as a volunteer, especially the Salvation Army which was a cause very dear to him. He was also a proud champion curler, playing for the winning Fire Fighters Team. George had a love of horse racing and at one time owned Thorough Breed Horses. Many people knew George for his cooking skills which he gave generously as a volunteer cook for the Fire Department and at fishing derbies

George was a dedicated grandfather and a loving dad. He was a good friend and a loving companion.

In lieu of flowers donations in George’s memory may be made to the Salvation Army, 500-55 Donald St., Wpg, R3C 1L8, CancerCare Manitoba 675 McDermot Ave. Rm ON 1160 Wpg, R3E 0V9 or the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Wpg, R3T 0R3.

A special thank you to the nurses, doctors and all the staff who cared for George at the St. Bonifce Hospital Palliative Care, CancerCare Manitoba and the Grace Hospice.

A Celebration of George’s Life will take place on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Drive.