William Maclellan

It is with heavy hearts that the family regrets to announce the passing of Bill MacLellan on June 19, 2012 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital after a six month battle with cancer. Born in New Victoria, he was the son of the late Charlie and Lorna (Noseworthy) MacLellan. He is survived by daughters, Anita MacLellan, Fredericton, Charlene Cameron, Brampton ON., and son Charlie (Peggy) MacLellan, Lingan, sisters, Lois (Edgar) Doull, Kentville, and June Schaump, Whitby ON. He’s also survived by grand children, Jennifer Brewer, Toronto, Jamie Brewer, Fredericton, Anne-Louise MacLellan, Sydney, Meaghan MacLellan, Lingan, Jessica Cameron, London ON., and great grandchildren, Audrey and Eleanor Brewer both of Fredericton Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his wife Louise “Tuddie”, son Joseph, and sister Jacqueline in infancy. Bill started his work career at Dominion Coal Company in 1950 and retired after 42 years. During this time he held many positions starting as a payroll clerk at #18 Colliery, and later trained as a computer programmer. He wrote hundreds of programs while working at Devco and was a pioneer in that field in the 60’s and 70’s. He held several senior management positions at Devco including the Data Processing Centre, Purchasing Dept., Surface Operations, and The Devco Railway. From 1968 to 1970 Bill was the Manager of Data Processing at T.S. Simms Ltd in Saint John, New Brunswick but decided to return to Cape Breton. Dad’s other career was that of a soldier, and he spent 25 years in the Militia starting as a Private soldier in 1953 and retiring in 1979 as a Colonel and Commander of the Cape Breton Militia District. One of the highlights of his career was a trip to England in 1973 as an invitee of the Cheshire Regiment to observe the presentation of their colours and visit of the Prince of Wales. As District Commander Dad was the Aide-de Camp for the Lieutenant Governor of the time the Honourable Clarence L. Gosse and enjoyed escorting him on all his official duties when he was in Cape Breton. He was also appointed Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General of Canada in 1974. Dad’s passion was sailing which he acquired as a boy growing up near the water in New Victoria. He built several sailboats and liked nothing better than to spend an afternoon sailing in Lingan Bay. His boating mishaps are too numerous to mention and although he never sailed much in the last couple of years he was building a new sailboat when he took ill in January. Visitation will take place Friday, June 22nd from 2-4 and 7-9 and a funeral mass to celebrate Bill’s life will be on Saturday, June 23rd at 10 am in the Parish of Saint Leonard with Father Ray Huntley officiating, followed by burial in Mount Carmel Cemetery. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall, Convent St. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home., 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford 862-7500 As an expression of sympathy for Bill, memorial donations in his memory can be made to the Cancer Centre or Palliative Care (An Cala Unit) at the Regional Hospital.