William McClean
Obituary
In Memory of

William James "Bill" McClean

1940 - 2021

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Obituary of William James McClean

Bill McClean passed away peacefully at Toronto Western Hospital with his family close by on Thursday October 28th in his 81st year.  Born and raised in Toronto, he proudly attended North Toronto Collegiate (’58) and University of Toronto; Engineering (’62) and MBA (’66). A Toronto sports fan to the core, he loved going to see his beloved Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, and Argos play.  Bill enjoyed a 43-year long career at IBM where he served as Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Development and Operations. He served on many Boards and Councils including as Chairman of the Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters and the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on Science & Technology.

 

Bill met his wife Vesta while they were both working at IBM in the late 1960s and have enjoyed 51 years of marriage with many happy memories. Bill always made his family his priority.  A devoted husband, father, and grandfather; Bill provided love and support to his children and wife, and embraced every opportunity to cheer on his grandchildren in their various sports, activities, and interests.

 

He was predeceased by his parents Robert Joseph and Letitia McClean (née Hewitt) and sister Barbara (Carl) Evans.  Proud of his Irish ancestry, he often spoke of the birthplace of his parents in Tyrone and Donegal, Ireland.  He will be greatly missed by his wife Vesta (nee Hambly); his children Robert (Tara) McClean, Andrea (Scott) Bunker and Christine (Blaine Woodcock) McClean; his beloved grandchildren Charlie, Grace, Max, Henry, Beatrice, Millie, Teddy, Abigail and James. 

Strong and determined to the end, Bill had great respect for the medical teams, doctors, and nurses at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto General, and Toronto Western Hospitals.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in his honour.

 

The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue East) on Tuesday, November 2nd for a visitation from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. with a private family funeral to follow on Wednesday, November 3rd. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.