Abercrombie, NS
January 13, 1936 - January 30, 2025
Rev. David Laughlin MacLean, of Abercrombie, January 13, 1936 - January 30, 2025.
Sixty-five years to the day after David Laughlin MacLean of Abercrombie, Pictou County became father to the first of his four children, he drew his last breath.
Left to mourn are his wife of nearly 67 years, Catherine (Reid); his children and their spouses, Philip (Pauline), Donna Tourneur (Charlie), Carl (Rosanne) and Ann Simms (Chris); his grandsons, Graham and Andrew Tourneur, Shawn Simms and Simon MacLean; his great-grandchildren, Sebastien, Kaitlyn and Jade Tourneur; and step-grandchildren, Charles and Bryan Tourneur and Laurie Johnston; as well as 9 step great-grandchildren.
Dave was loved and respected by many nieces and nephews and by his in-laws, Evelyn MacLean, Alice Hewitt, Helen Cruickshank, Mary and Gerald Romsa, and Ruth Douglas. The family is deeply grateful to Caroline Tushabe for the impeccable care she has provided in his home for the past five months and to Carol MacKenzie who has supported Dave and Catherine since their move back to Pictou County. These women feel like family.
David was a son of the late Robert and Ada (MacKenzie) MacLean and spent his childhood on the century farm in Churchville.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his older brother and life- long hero, Donnie, and his sister, Jean, who died in childhood. He was also predeceased by parents-in-law, John and Sadie Reid, as well as sister and brothers-in-law: Robert and Isabel Archibald, Jim Hewitt, Glenn Cruickshank and Albert Douglas.
David was a life-long learner, always happy with a book in his hand. During a full and successful career with the Royal Bank of Canada, serving in Lawrencetown, Annapolis Royal, Halifax (twice), Parrsboro, Inverness (twice), Maitland, Elmsdale, Whitney Pier and ending in Burnside, he became a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He continued post-secondary education on a part-time basis and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University College of Cape Breton and a Master of Divinity from the Atlantic School of Theology.
At age 59, Dave was ordained in the United Church of Canada and served the Rawdon Pastoral Charge, Knox in Glace Bay, Gordon in Reserve Mines and in various capacities even since retirement with Catherine by his side at every turn in the road of life.
David and Catherine were deeply involved in United Churches in every community in which they lived as well as community and service clubs, and 4-H while there were kids at home.
David was smart, kind and charitable. He was a great family provider and supported his children in all their endeavors with pride and common sense.
We used to say that when he was in the bank, he helped people with their personal lives and in ministry he helped people with finances. He was trusted and loyal in both professions and he will be missed deeply by family and friends alike.
The MacLean family enjoyed numerous trips across the continent, but nothing was more relaxing than weekends at the cottage at Point 44, a place that continued to provide joy until the end.
His life and faith will be celebrated at Trinity United Church, New Glasgow, under the leadership of his AST classmate and friend, The Rev. Meredith Fraser, on Sunday, February 2nd at 1pm. The service will be livestreamed on Trinity’s Facebook and YouTube:
Family flowers only please. The burial will be held when the weather is more reasonable.
David was clear that donations in his memory should be made to United Church Mission and Service.
The church administrator at Trinity can help with those who wish to do this.
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