John Munro MacLean

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Munro MacLean. John MacLean was born in Halifax, NS on Sept 7, 1935. John was predeceased by his mother Dorothy Zoe “Muzzie” (Munro), father “Alexander” Leslie MacLean and his sister Heather Tupper, who all passed away in 1972.

John is survived by his loving wife Sandra (Banks) MacLean, with whom he would have celebrated 39 years of marriage later this month. They shared a wonderful life filled with memories of family, friends, parties and travel.

John is also survived by his four children: Stuart (Charlotte), Scott (Cindy), Ian (Suzanne Hayman) and Jill (John Robertson) from his first marriage with Janet Jakeman (Janet Jones).

He is also survived by his two stepdaughters with his wife Sandra: Sarah O’Brien (Dave) and Emily Haynes (Andrew Mitton).

John had many grandchildren from his two marriages. Sons of Stuart and Charlotte MacLean - Mark & Scott. Children of Scott & Cindy MacLean - Alex, Haley & Emily MacLean. Children of Jill MacLean - Jason & Leslie Poirier. Son of Ian MacLean and Suzanne Haymen - Cailan MacLean. Sons of Sarah & David O’Brien - Ethan, Duncan & Graeme O’Brien. Daughters of Emily Haynes & Andrew Mitton - Ella & Lily Haynes.

John took great pride in all of his children and grandchildren. He loved spending many hours watching all of them playing sports, performing in concerts and recitals, and pursuing all their various endeavours.

John was very connected doing his family geneology for most of his adult life. He loved discovering his Scottish family heritage and really enjoyed stories of family sea captains and souls lost at sea (Captain James Skinner).

He enjoyed golfing with many friends and liked to take a mulligan here and there. He proudly had three hole in 1’s while playing as a member of the Brightwood Golf & County Club! For a number of decades he hosted the annual Caribou Classic Golf Tournament at the Abercrombie GC near his cottage in Caribou. He loved his friends and especially his director of golf (Bob) “Murph” Murphy. This group of 24 friends were very special to John and he loved the friendship and good times playing golf and cards with the boys!

John was a professional Civil Engineer graduating from both Dalhousie and TUNS (1959). He initially worked for Bell Canada and then for many years with Imperial Oil as the Atlantic Canada Petroleum Product Manager. He was responsible for controlling the supply of Aviation, Marine and Automotive fuels in Atlantic Canada.

One of the highlights of this worktime was the leadership working on the 1986 “TransAtlantic Race”with Sir Richard Branson on the Challenger 1. He met the Challenger 1 off the coast of Newfoundland with his refueling team. Highlights were grand parties in England with Branson himself.

John also played a leadership role coordinating with the Halifax Tallship visit in 1986. John was the key leader for “Imperial Oil Canada” from the “Ship Acadia” during the refuelling of the Tall ships as they visited Halifax harbour for this first big event. The event was a hugh success for Nova Scotia!

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia. Special thanks to “Sumit” at the Parkwood Homecare Group. He loved spending time with her kind care. Thanks to the ninth floor staff at the Abbey J. Lane Memorial Hospital for their care and kindness. John loved the food and care at the Parkstone Enhanced Care facility. The family would like to thank this healthcare group for John’s compassionate and dignified care.