Brian Durnford McLean

May 21, 1940 – April 9, 2026

On Thursday, April 9, Brian Durnford McLean passed away in Royal Columbian Hospital at age 85, following a stroke and two months’ stay, during which he was surrounded by supportive staff and loved ones. Predeceased by his wife Patricia McLean (nee Winter) in 2023, he leaves behind beloved siblings Cameron (Marianne) and Sheila (Joe); devoted daughters Patricia, Gayle (Paul), Jeanette (Phil) and Gillian (Jon); loving grandchildren Madison, Max, Brian, Avery, Georgia, Quinn and Ryan and a great-grandson, Clark.

Brian was born and raised in North Vancouver. He was “Big Mac” (long before the burger came along) due to his physical size and athletic prowess, most notably on the baseball and football fields, as articles in the North Shore News reported. He likely was also known about town for the spectacle he and his long-time friend Peter Duck created, driving around, folded into Peter’s tiny, 3-wheeled Isetta, the two of them, Brian, a 6 foot, brawny, chiseled 200 pounder and Peter, 6’ 8”, about 140 lbs, eventually climbing out, like a circus act of clowns emerging from a VW Bug.

After high school, Brian attended UBC, as had his librarian mother, Lorna. During those years, he met Pat, the girl next door, and her young daughter, Patricia. He fell in love with both those Pats: married one and adopted the other.

He studied English, French and special education. He earned a teaching degree and a subsequent Master’s degree. His teaching career spanned over 30 years in the Coquitlam School District. He was a dedicated teacher and produced and directed several musicals at Moody Junior, as well as sponsored an after school golf program. He cherished the many notes and gifts of appreciation he received over the years, his favourite perhaps was a signed copy of Gordie Howe’s autobiography.

As a dad, he was unmatched. He was a softball coach (so patient with the Bad News Bears teams he was always saddled with), a prankster (hid shoes in beds, walked into walls), and a living room “auctioneer”. He took the kids on camping trips (fried spam!), to plays (we’re going to “Grease!” not Greece), to White Spot for butterhorns, and, as teenagers, to The Pantry with friends before school for coffee and smokes (it was a different time). He cooked and cleaned more than other dads. He unabashedly purchased “ahems” as needed, allowed his hair to be pinned, ponytailed and “Beethoven-ed”, and gently held out a hand, saying “donne-moi ta main” when crossing the street with his young brood. He was gentle, never one to swear; his version of road rage was calling someone a “Dingleberry”, Diddly-doo" or “A You Know What”.

As a grandad, he was the #1 sports fan at every baseball, football and soccer game (which wasn’t his favourite sport) come rain or shine. He was the Sunday dinner cleaner-upper.

He loved so MANY things in life: singing, musicals (which led him to join NSLOS), playing piano and guitar, reading, reciting famous poems and speeches, Fawlty Towers, golf (Jack Nicklaus and Rory McIlroy super fan), hockey (The Habs, then Canucks), BC Lions (Go, Rourke!), cycling, crosswords, sports betting (he won $57000 on TOTO Sports Action once!), scrapbooking, hot sunny days, ginger ale, ice milk, Dilly bars, sour cream and onion ships (only on weekends!), White Spot (where he heroically foiled a robbery), Churchill, proper grammar, Canada, and going for 19th hole and Friday beers with his longtime buddies Wayne, Luigi, Blake and Bob.

Brian will be fiercely missed. He will be remembered for his kindness, humour, graciousness, and deep appreciation for the smallest of kindnesses and acknowledgements shown to him by others.

Brian will join Pat in the Denison family cemetery, St. John’s on the Humber, in Toronto. The family is having a private celebration for Brian, and would love any condolences and memories to be shared here on www.dignitymemorial.com. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC.