Charles "Kip" Wilfred Churchill MacLean

Born in Sydney Mines on January 29,1946, he was the son of the late Charles and Ivy MacLean.

In his youth, Kip excelled at a variety of sports, including baseball, bowling, and his favourite, basketball. He enjoyed many good times over the years with friends and his family in Sydney Mines. Kip often entertained us with many stories, including about summers spent camping with his family in Ingonish during miners’ vacation week.

A graduate of Acadia and St. FX Universities, Kip started his teaching career in Hants West High School and continued at Donkin Morien District High. During those years, he taught many students how to drive as an instructor with the Driver Education Program and also coached school basketball teams. Eventually, Kip moved into administration as principal of Gowrie Elementary School, followed by Central School, and lastly as principal of Glace Bay Elementary School. In the year before GBE was completed, Kip served as principal of the five elementary schools that would feed into the new one.

Throughout his life, Kip enjoyed traveling the world both by land and by sea. However, his favourite place of all was Loch Lomond and the bungalow built by his brother Jon and himself, where wonderful memories were made. Anyone who knew Kip well will surely recall his witty sense of humour, usually directed at those he cared about most. Busy as he was, the main focus in Kip’s life was family. He was the one to whom each of us always turned for clarity, support, and love. Our loss is immeasurable.

Kip leaves behind beloved wife, Barb (Fergusson) MacLean, as well as his adored children: daughter Heather (Tom Alummoottil) of Toronto, son Jamie (Katie Morrison) of River Ryan, and daughter Susan (Rob Wadden) of Sydney River. He was much-loved Papa to Ewan and Carey Wadden, Emily MacLean, and Ben MacLeod, each of whom held a special place in his heart. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law Jon and Vivienne MacLean, sister-in-law Diane MacLean, as well as brother-in-law Eddie Davis. Kip was especially fond of all his nieces and nephews along with their families, each one of whom he held dear. He is also sure to be missed by longtime neighbour and friend, Judy Patten.

Besides his parents, Kip was predeceased by his brother George MacLean, sister Nancy MacGregor, brother-in-law Gordon MacGregor, in-laws Donald and Marguerite Fergusson and sister-in-law Beryl Davis.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 1 from 4:00pm until 6pm with a service to follow at 6pm all at Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting pattenfuneral.com.

His family gratefully welcomes donations to Teal To Heal in Kip’s memory at tealtoheal.ca.