Obituary of Robert Douglas MacLean

We are saddened to announce the passing of Bob MacLean after a struggle with cancer.

Bob was born in Saint John, NB to the late, Donald and Edith MacLean, as the New Years Baby of 1947. He met Dawn at post-secondary school, fell in love and married. He and Dawn moved to Halifax in 1972, where they raised their sons. He worked for London Life and Medavie Blue Cross in group insurance sales until his retirement in 2006. From the relationships he built there, he then established his own insurance agency.

Bob (Grampy) loved spending time with his sons and granddaughters. Each granddaughter brought a world of love into Bobs life.

He loved being outdoors. His hobbies were deer hunting, fishing, golfing, driving his Miata with the Miata Club, volunteering with Hope for Wildlife and especially travelling with Dawn. They travelled to many parts of Europe, all over the United States, the Caribbean and Canada. They cruised multiple times, including a cruise through the Panama Canal ending up in Vancouver for a visit with Jeff's family.

In 2008 they bought a home in Largo, Florida, where they spent 16 winters having a great time with an incredible network of amazing life-long friends.

While in Florida, Bob honed his golf game to make it a sport that he loved. He very much enjoyed the camaraderie of the golf guys. Bob fished for squid for many years and always shared his calamari at any event that occurred. He also fished for mackerel, trout and sea bass. His deer hunting was legendary. He hunted for several years on Anticosti Island and in many parts of Nova Scotia, including bowhunting in the Chignecto Game Sanctuary. He even was able to convince some of his family to enjoy deer steaks. Bob was a McGyver. If he couldn't figure out how to fix something, YouTube would help him out. He enjoyed many evenings playing cards with close friends and everyday with Dawn. He even loved to shop!

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dawn (nee MacKenney), sons, Jeff (Krystle) and Craig (Mary Ellen); granddaughters, Taylor, Sydney, Kendall and Samantha; brother in-law Glen MacKenney, sisters in-law, Ann MacKenney and Pam MacLean; nephew, Chris Nowlan; niece, Angela Craft and children. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Susan Nowlan, brother, Douglas MacLean; brother in-law, Daniel Nowlan and nephew, Ryan Nowlan.

We wish to thank family physician Dr. Sahar Aziz, oncologists, Jennifer Melvin, Lara Best, Carman Giacomantonio and their nurses, Carman and Katie. They provided wonderful, professional care and tried their best to prolong Bob's life. He passed away at home surrounded by loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 18, 2025 from 6-8pm at Maritime Cremation Centre.