Ronald MCLEAN

Ronald McLean August 25, 1925 - March 25, 2017

It is with great sadness the family of Ronald McLean shares the news of his passing on March 25, 2017.
As he entered his 90s, it seemed like Ron McLean would live forever, enjoying a scotch at happy hour at the cottage, or rounds of golf in Florida. Sadly, following a brief but brave fight with cancer, Ron passed away at home at his cottage on Dickey Lake, in the loving presence of his wife Joan.
Born Ronald McLean in Carlisle in Northern England in 1925, the only son of Elinor Teresa and Joseph Robert, Ron's life would unfurl like many of his era - his early life spent on a farm; signing up to fight in World War II; seeking better opportunities for his young family and emigrating to Canada in the late 1950s; and working hard to build a new life in Toronto. That new life resulted in establishing one of Canada's oldest companies, Waddington's Auctioneers (formerly Henderson's, founded in 1850), as Canada's pre-eminent auction house.
As patriarch and founder of modern-day Waddington's, Ron was respected and beloved by Toronto's growing community. Ron would become good friends with Ed Mirvish, supplying the décor and furniture to the one-time best-known Toronto restaurant, Ed's Warehouse, as well as become the first auctioneer to conduct a major sale of Canadian art. In his heyday, Ron assisted some of the most prominent families disperse their estates and was a key figure in fundraising for various cultural and community causes. All three of his sons would eventually join the company, and together, they reigned over the Toronto auction industry for decades.
A new chapter followed his retirement from Waddington's with his second wife Joan, including travels across North America and Europe, a cottage near Bancroft, Ontario, and a winter home in Florida. Ever the raconteur, he continued to enjoy being the centre of attention, regaling friends and family with stories of his experiences and adventures. In fact, his Florida 'TR Family' all became Scots for a day thanks to Ron and Joan's legendary Robbie Burns celebrations. He also loved entertaining his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who adored him in return.
Ron will be missed dearly by his loving wife Joan, his sons Alastair (Sandra), Duncan (Tess) and Donald (Lindsay), his stepsons Michael (Verna) and Stuart (Shelby), his grandchildren Stephen (Jennifer), Lindsay (Anthony), Samantha and Dana, his great-grandchildren Hunter and Harper, Kaitlyn and Rebecca, his nieces and nephew in Sweden, his cousin George in Kamloops, as well as his many friends in England, Toronto, Dickey Lake and Travellers Rest Resort, Florida.
The family sincerely thanks the caregivers and nurses of the Bancroft Community Care program (CCAC) that provided SMILE, VON, and PSW support in helping ensure Ron could enjoy sunrises and sunsets at home at Dickey Lake. Much appreciation also to the many friends who helped lighten Joan's burden with their gifts of food, comfort and friendship.
At Ron's request, instead of the formality of a funeral, a celebration of his life will be shared by family and friends in early May. Also at his request, his ashes will be buried next to his mother, surrounded by many relatives in Hutton in the Forest, England.