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BORN
1940
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
William MCCLEAN Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for William MCCLEAN
22 Entries
Paul Gunter
April 4, 2023
Sad to hear of his passing.
Lots of fun memories at NTCI: John Russell, Tony Kicinski.
Always a hard worker. No wonder he succeeded at IBM.
Chris Kelly
January 24, 2023
Better late than never as I'm little embarrassed to learn today (almost 15 months after his passing) that Mr McClean is no longer with us. I knew him as the grandparent who came to the grandkids sporting events. With three grandkids sharing his name, it felt like a part of his day was being in the Leaside rink when he wasn't away. He carried himself with a quiet grace which I identified as something I'd like to copy should I be fortunate to have grandkids someday.
To Mrs McClean, Rob, Tara, Max, Henry, Teddy and the rest of the family, I'm sorry you miss him.
David MacKinnon
November 7, 2021
I was the CEO of a provincial research organization and Bill was a member of the board. He had a razer sharp business mind and a real commitment to the public interest. He was unfailingly helpful to me and I always appreciated that. My thoughts are with his family at a challenging time. He will be missed by all who came in contact with him.
Scott Harrald
November 3, 2021
So sad to hear of Bill's passing. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of sharing sports fields and hockey arenas with both Bill and Rob as we played our childhood sports. I will always remember his generosity, infectious laugh, and wit.
My sincere condolences to Vesta, Rob, Christine, Andrea and Family.
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Paul Booth
November 3, 2021
I WAS VERY SAD TO HEAR THE NEWS OF BILLS PASSING.
Bill was my first manager at IBM back in the late 60's.That was very short lived as he started to fly up the executive latter very fast to every different function in the company. He could never keep a position very long before he was moved again. HQ, REAL ESTATE, PLANT, PLANT ENGINEERING, LAB, ALMOST EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE COMPANY HE TOUCHED IN SOME WAY, ON HIS WAY UP THE LADDER OF SUCCESS.
HE WAS A TRUE "BLUE" BUSINESSES MAN.
NOTHING STAYED ON HIS DESK LONG, DECISIONS WERE MADE WITH EXPERT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPEDITIOUSLY. HE WAS CLEVER, SHARP, DECISIVE,
TOUGH, AND DEDICATED TO PERFECTION AND GETTING THE JOB DONE ON TIME OR BEFORE.
He was a great leader, husband and father. He always participated our at company events like the Christmas parties and summer carnival at the country club.
We remained friends for many years while at IBM, and then again for many years after I left IBM.
At Leaf games and our many golf outings, he was a true competitor.
You could gone on for hours about his qualities in business, family and activities.
Bill will be truly missed by many friends and family !
He was true quality!
I will miss you Bill !
My very sincere condolences to VESTA, ROB, CHRISTINE AND ANDREA, AND ALL THE GRANDKIDS!
PAUL BOOTH
FRIEND
Patricia Glavic
November 2, 2021
I am very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I was Bill’s Executive Assistant at the IBM Toronto Lab for a few years and until his retirement. It was a great experience for me to work with Bill. He was such a bright, funny and caring person and a wonderful mentor to so many.
My sincere condolences to Vesta, Rob, Christine and Andrea and the entire McClean family.
Phil and Cheryl Moliterno
November 2, 2021
We are so sad to hear of Bill’s passing. He was incredible man who showed kindness to all who came in contact with him. We remember the good and funny times we had when he and Vesta were in Florida. Our deepest condolences go to Vesta, Rob, Tara, Andrea, Scott, Christine, Blaine and all the grandchildren.
Marie Power
November 2, 2021
Dear Vesta and family,
I was saddened to learn of Bill's passing - my deepest condolences to you all.
Bill was a very kind gentleman and an incredible role model. It was a privilege to have worked with him.
Sincerely, Marie
Belinda Tang
November 2, 2021
Truly sad about Bill's passing. He was a kind and supportive mentor, full of knowledge and insights which he generously shares to help us all grow. In numerous initiatives we worked on at IBM, Bill's leadership made the difference. He put Canada on the world stage. I will truly miss his guidance and friendship. My thoughts are with Vesta and his family during this difficult time. May you all find peace in Bill's memory, which truly is a blessing.
Yim Chan
November 2, 2021
Very sad to hear. Condolences to Vesta and family. I was very lucky to work for Bill in many different roles over my career, a very smart, insightful, outstanding business gentleman. Very well respected, not only in the IBM world but in business and political networks. I had the opportunity to be his executive assistant early in my career and I can still recall some of the strategic executive decisions he made for the IBM lab and manufacturing plants, his legacy. He always cared about the employees and their families, and the communities. When IBM marketing gave my husband an assignment to Japan in 1991, he asked me if this was the right decision for our family with 2 small children, I said yes. He made it happen for me, during a very very tough time for IBM worldwide, we were the only dual assignments. Forever grateful, may you Rest In Peace
mary chong
November 1, 2021
So very sad that we have lost such a decent man and caring leader! I was fortunate to have been technical assistant to Bill in the early 90's when IBM was closing manufacturing plants world wide. Protecting Canadian jobs was near and dear to Bill's heart and he found a way to save those jobs by divesting the Toronto plant vs just shutting it down. Bill was a mentor to many and champion of equality for all. Bill had the best expressions like this one..."he had a smile so big you'd think he had swallowed a banana sideways".
Vesta, my deepest condolences to you and your family.
Joanne stiff
November 1, 2021
Sorry to hear about Bills passing ! He and I both worked at Dominion Stores back in the day ! Then we were neighbors on Southlea Ave and Bob and I send our condolences to the McLean family ! Regards Joanne Stiff
Joe Wigglesworth
November 1, 2021
Back in the early 2000's, I was fortunate to have Bill as my mentor at the IBM Lab in Markham. I learned a great deal from him and always appreciated that he took the time from his very busy schedule to pass some of his wisdom and experience along to me. He took great interest in the work that my team and I were doing and always had time to talk and answer questions. Bill's pride in IBM and what IBM stands for was unmistakeable and he passed that pride to everyone who worked with him. It was a pleasure and honour to work with him.
Lynn Burton
November 1, 2021
Vesta—you and Bill have been friends for over thirty-five years and we had so many good times together. He was so proud of his family and always knew what was most important. I send my condolences to you, Rob, Andrea, and Christine. May Bill’s memory be for a blessing.
Lynn Burton
November 1, 2021
Vesta—you and Bill have been friends for over thirty-five years and we had so many good times together. He was so proud of his family and always knew what was most important. I send my condolences to you, Rob, Andrea, and Christine. May Bill’s memory be for a blessing.
Lorraine Kuska
November 1, 2021
Dear Vesta and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Bill played a pivotal roll in my life. He believed in me and for that, I will always be eternally grateful. He was an incredible leader and a kind and supportive man. The world was a better place because of him. He will be missed.
Kevin Stoodley
November 1, 2021
At IBM Bill was a leader who valued excellence and integrity and personified both. I'll always remember he had great insights about the industry, clients and "how things worked" at IBM. Whenever he would share these I would always pay close attention. Not everyone had the kind of insights Bill had nor the patience to share them with junior employees. One particular time revolved around a site visit to the Toronto Lab by then CEO Lou Gerstner. A small group of us were chosen to present to Lou and as you might imagine, we got a lot of advice, much of it conflicting about how and what to present to Lou and what to be ready for. Lou was well known for asking tough questions. Bill also shared his view and in the end, Bill was the single leader who gave us bang-on predictions. Thanks for your leadership and advocacy, Bill. Rest in peace.
Kelly Lyons
November 1, 2021
I am very saddened to read this news. I had the privilege of working with Bill on an initiative at IBM in the early 2000s. He was kind and generous and a true mentor to me. I learned so much from him. He was especially interested in supporting women in their careers at IBM and I was a lucky recipient of his support. In reading this lovely tribute to Bill, I smiled when I read that he was a "Toronto sports fan to the core", recalling a time he warned me that we didn't want to "get our blocker out in front of our tackle" or some such thing -- I can't remember because I had (and still have) no idea what that meant and I was too embarrassed to tell him!! Bill was a true leader and mentor who had a positive impact on many people at IBM. Condolences to his family.
Peter and June Webb
November 1, 2021
So sorry to hear about Bill, many fond memories of working with Bill over so may years at IBM. He was a very determined get it done kind of person, that's for sure! Our very best wishes to Vesta and family at this sad time.
Peter and June Webb
Liz Sauter & Wayne Scott
October 31, 2021
Oh how very sad! I so remembered Bill especially on my first day at IBM in the lab when he kindly showed me the ropes. I came through the "North" Lobby at 1150 dressed in my jeans and motorcycle helmet and he explained the "dress code". I had been working in a children's hospital so did not own any suits and had been used to working on the floor with kids so when he found me sitting on the floor filing his folders he used to chuckle at me. His kindness to me throughout my career was greatly appreciated and he sponsored my idea of helping kids from the Chester Le area get summer jobs at IBM when I was the Manager of Corporate Support Programs in my 34/35th year at IBM. I will fondly remember his guidance.
Norm and Janet Barhorst
October 31, 2021
Vesta and the family have our deepest sympathies! Bill was one of the finest men I have known! Loved playing golf with Bill in Heritage Palms.
David Gifford
October 31, 2021
I had many wonderful conversations with Bill and golfed with Bill at Heritage Palms in Florida with the Golden Oldies Quota Group.
Bill was a very kind, thoughtful gentleman, I will miss Bill.
Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results
Memorial Events
for William MCCLEAN
Nov
2
Visitation
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel Limited1403 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4G 3A8
Funeral services provided by:
Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles - Newbigging Chapel Limited1403 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4G 3A8