Ross Patterson (Pat) McLean M.B.E. passed away peacefully at his home in Punta Gorda, Florida in his 95th year on April 13th, 2014.
He was born 6 May, 1919 in Ailsa Craig, Ontario, the son of Alexander McLean M.P.P. and Edith McGeary.
He is the beloved husband of Betty (Bailey) McLean. He was predeceased by his first wife, Geraldine (Stonhouse) McLean in Cambridge in 1981.
Pat and Gerrie had twins, Bonnie (Dr.David Anderson), Dennis (Heather) McLean, and adopted twins, Lin - deceased (John Rinker) and Lee (John Price - deceased). He was special father to Stuart (Gail) Stratton and Diane (George - deceased) Agle. Pat was stepfather to Todd (Kathy) Bailey and Dr. Tim (Shelly) Bailey.
Treasured Grandfather of Scott, David, Craig (deceased 1970), and Dr. Kelly Anderson, Shawn and Tammy (Stewart) McLean, Jennifer (Rogers) Rinker and Krissy and Katie Price, Patterson and Andrew Stratton and Grant and Gregory Agle, and all the grandchildren's spouses, his step grandchildren and his many great grandchildren.
Pat was a flight instructor at RCAF Station Dunnville during WW2, flying Harvards and was awarded an M.B.E. by King George for rescuing an Australian pilot from a burning Aircraft.
After the war, he worked at Clare Brothers in Preston, as president of Royal Metal and Inter Royal in Cambridge and was the owner of Croydon Furniture Systems after a time in New York City as International President of Inter Royal Corp.
He is a past president of The Canadian Business Equipment Manufacturers Association, past chairman of Cambridge Memorial Hospital, past president of the YMCA (Galt), was on the board of the Canadian Cancer Society and was a rotarian.
Arpie (RP), as he was known to his family, was a fabulous role model, admired for his honesty and integrity. "You were an incredible man. You played 9 holes of golf a few days ago, and swam laps in the pool as you always did. You read all the newspapers and every issue of The Economist. You never missed a birthday or forgot the names of our friends. You were and are our inspiration. You made us see that all things are possible and that age is, in fact, wisdom. You were one in a billion. Arpie (I didn't realize as a kid, it was RP), you will be missed but your presence will be forever felt
.
Thank you Betty Grams for making life so special for him and for all of us."
Cremation has taken place.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please celebrate this life lived by donating to the Peace River Wildlife Center orCharlotte County Homeless Center
Pat may be kindly remembered at icscremationandfunerals.org and can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/icscremationandfunerals
Tributes
Leave a tributeCarl & Gail Puckett
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, Florida
Bill and Zoe Hopkins
Punta Gorda, FL
Dear Pat, if you where to look up the word gentleman in the dictionary, there would be a picture of you. We are all better people for having known you. Pat you will be greatly missed.
Becky and Lee Paque
Carl & Dani Piacenza
Bob and Jane Fitzpatrick
Punta Gorda
Mary Collins
Punta Gorda
Don and Lorrie Ross
Punta Gorda, Florida
Joan Montovano
Punta Gorda
Geoff & Kathy Hewett
Orillia, Ontario
He lived life to the fullest and I always told him he was my hero to live as long as he did and as well as he did. I only knew Pat well for a few years but I was lucky to have known him at all.
Smooth sailing my friend, see you on the other side.
Chris Roehrig
Punta Gorda
Pam & John Solinger
Punta Gorda, Fl.
TIM BAILEY
decatur il
Leave a Tribute
Carl & Gail Puckett
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, Florida