Eric Francis MacLean

Eric MacLean
North Sydney, N.S.
July 23, 1936 - November 10, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Eric Francis MacLean, at the age of 85, on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, who passed away peacefully in his sleep.                   
                                                
He is survived by his daughter Frances Collins; brothers Clifford and Harvey; sister Evelyn, brother-in-law Ricky MacDonald,  sister-in-law Chrissy Gracie, and many nieces and nephews.  
He was predeceased by his loving wife, of 60 years, Jacqueline (MacDonald); parents Bernard and Catherine; brothers Mickey, Adrian and Blowers; and sister Audrey Maxwell.
                         
Eric was born and raised in  North Sydney, in an area known as the Gannon Road.  He was very proud of his roots and never tired of teasing his wife, Jacqueline, about which place was better, hers in Sydney Mines, known as Cranberry, or his on the Gannon Road.  Eric left home at the early age to join the Forces where he served as an Airborne soldier in the paratrooper battalion of the Canadian Army.  In his early years, Eric worked briefly in the coal mines, before moving his family to Toronto where he learned to drive tractor trailer. After many years away he returned home to Sydney Mines, to work with Canadian Liquid Air driving tractor trailers to and from Montreal, every week, until he retired. There was nothing he couldn't drive. Ever proud of his profession, his favourite expression was, "if you got it, a truck brought it".  In his later years, he worked with the Corps of Commissionaires at the Northside General Hospital, Canadian Coast Guard College and the Graham Bell Museum.

Eric was an active member of St. Joseph's Church, a life member and past president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Br. #19, a past president of the Kiwanis Golden K Club, a third degree member of Father William Kiely Council and a fourth degree member of the William B. MacLeod General Assembly, Knights of Columbus.

Eric was a great story-teller and loved sharing a good joke.  His stories were always entertaining and some of them were even true.  He also loved listening to fiddle music, his favourite was Winston Scotty Fitzgerald.  Eric was an antique car enthusiast and a member of the Cape Breton Antique Car Club. He loved working around old cars. You could always find him under the hood with a smile on his face and grease on his good clothes. 
It is with sadness that we say goodbye, but we will be forever grateful for the time we were granted and the many memories we shared.

We would like to thank the hard-working health, home and pharmacy care professionals for their support and care over the years. With a special thanks to his favourites and you know who you are!  A very special thank you to Doctor Buhariwalla, the emergency room doctor at the Regional General Hospital, who went above and beyond in her care and compassion. We will be forever grateful.

Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home at 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 in St. Joseph Church, 36 Archibald Ave, North Sydney, with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating. Covid-19 requirements will be in place with proof of vaccination, NS Photo ID and the wearing of masks mandatory when attending the visitation and church service. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph's Church Improvement Fund or to a charity of choice. Online words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com.








 

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