| Last Name: | McLean |
| First Name: | Brian |
| Second Name: | Durnford |
| Third Name: | |
| Title: | |
| Sex: | Male |
| Birth Date: | May 21, 1940 |
| Birth Place: | Vancouver, BC |
| Death Date: | Apr 09, 2026 |
| Death Place: | New Westminster, BC |
| Education: | |
| Residence: | |
| Occupation: | |
| Closest Friend: | |
| Neat Traits: | |
| Misc. Information: | |
| Branch: | Bellevue |
| Notes: | 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. |
| Cemetery: | St John's on the Humber |
| Section: | 2 |
| Plot: | |
| Individual record created: | Jan 09, 2000 at 4:46:55 PM |
| Individual record last updated: | Apr 17, 2026 at 9:43:35 AM |
| Spouses: |
Winter/Patricia Elizabeth |
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| Brian McLean |
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