Larry Arthur McLean

McLean, Larry Arthur - Passed peacefully in his hometown of Woodstock, Ontario, April 21, 2023, in his 69th year. A graduate of College Avenue Secondary School, Larry later completed coursework in silk screen design at Fanshawe College. In school, he loved art, photography and working with his hands. He later worked a 20-plus-year career with Thomas Built Bus in Woodstock in addition to earlier jobs at G.N.C. Homes and Remco Kitchens. He will be remembered as a quick study who could fix anything, always eager to share his knowledge and skills with anyone and his resourcefulness and ingenuity were admired by all who knew him. His interests spanned auto racing and mechanics, music, reading, comedy, film and television.  His attention to detail and devotion to pop culture, trivia and history always made for interesting and stimulating conversation. Larry is loved by his children, Amber McLean of Kitchener, ON and Tyler McLean of Fredericton, NB.  Survived by his grandsons, Ryatt Kilback and Beckett McLean; sisters, Sandra (nee McLean) Spratt and RuthAnn (nee McLean) Robertson; his nieces, Susan Thornton (nee Spratt) and Linda Sharpe (nee Spratt); and nephews, Steve Spratt, David Robertson and Peter Robertson, and will be remembered by many others from his extended family.  He is predeceased by his parents, William A. "Sonny" McLean (1984) and Jean B. McLean (nee Cuthbertson)(2012) and brother-in-laws, Ted Spratt (2020) and Warren Robertson, (2009). Larry is also missed by his neighbours, friends and all those who knew him, especially in his final years. Cremation has taken place with interment and private family ceremony at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the McLean family kindly requests that donations be made in Larry's memory to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

When I die; give what’s left of me away to children and old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry, cry for your brother walking the street beside you. And when you need me,

Put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give to me.

Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved, and if you cannot give me away, at least let me live on your eyes and not on your mind.

You can love me most by letting hands touch hands, by letting bodies touch bodies, and by letting go of children that need to be free.

Love doesn’t die, people do. So, when all that’s left of me is love, give me away.

                                                                                                                                --Merrit Malloy

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