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John McLean Obituary
John M. McLean, 68, of Schnecksville, died Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Deanna J. (Dunkle) McLean. Born in Passaic, N.J., John was the son of the late Aylmer D. and Violet E. (Smith) McLean. An accomplished artist and opera singer, John graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance. He received his Educational Doctorate in Music from Columbia University in New York City. During his career, he was invited to participate and compete in the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia. John taught music on many different levels throughout his career. Survivors: Wife; daughter, Susannah M. McHugh of Medford, N.J.; brothers, George D. McLean and his wife Judy of Port Orange, Fla., Kenneth A. McLean and his wife Violet of Dixon, Ill.; three grandchildren, Madison, Riley and Connor. Services: A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held at a date and time to be announced. The Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., in Schnecksville is in charge of arrangements. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Clarion Animal Hospital c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.
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October 25, 2009
DeDe,
We love you and are so sorry for your loss. We were lucky to have had John as part of our family. The two of you were certainly meant to be together and shared an amazing love of music and life. We will all miss John. We are here for you sis.
Love Robin, Ken, Whitney and Olivia
October 25, 2009
RIP Doc. Thanks for all that you taught us. You left a lasting impression and a love of music. My sincere condolences to your family.
A Former Student
Ted Kucinsky
October 19, 2009
John was a talented and valued member of our High School class. His performance at our most recent reunion ,along with the effort he put into re-recording our school song, will always be appreciated and remembered. We are all better for having known John. What a fine class mate.
October 18, 2009
Dear DeDe,
I was so sorry to hear of John's death. I knew him best through your stories of your life together. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, and if there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Delene
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Linda Stamato
October 18, 2009
It is touching but not surprising at all to read the words of those included here as John was a generous young man when I knew him in high school and an extremely talented one as well. He sure grew up consistent with that early view! He and I and a few others formed a group when he were juniors and his talent simply was so great, I felt I was in the wrong league, but, not from John's point of view. He stuck with us.
John came to our last reunion, celebrating 50 years, played for us, and left a confirming, heartening and spiritual, good-humored, and altogether remarkable impression with his music....and his generosity.
That he lived a good life is obvious. Please accept my wishes, Deanna, and condolences, on behalf of myself and my classmates from Nutley High School. Linda (Lautenschlaeager) Stamato.
Daria Rabotkina
October 17, 2009
Dear DeDe,
I am so sorry. John was the most kind human being that I knew, and I wish I met both of you. He was very caring and warm with me and my mother in Clarion, and when we needed help, he was there. He was a great friend. My heart goes to you.
Daria Rabotkina
October 16, 2009
I still have a copy of the recording that Dr. John McClean made of my band's performance at the Edison Jr. High School Talent Show. He was a dedicated, sincere man, with a good heart. He really encouraged the members of our rock band. I remember him sitting at the kitchen table with my parents... I think it was when he came to hear our rehearsal. I'm sure we weren't easy (with the usual jr. HS pranks), but Doc McClean always had our respect. We knew what a polished musician & teacher he was. He definitely influenced me. Thank you, Doc! John Baragone
karen reilly/alpers
October 16, 2009
so sorry to learn about doc
he was my teacher, my friend, he saved me when i was a teenager from probably going in the wrong direction. he turned me toward music and gave me for the first time in my life a belief in myself/ he talked to me till he was probably blue in the face to convince me that no matter/what life dealt me
it was worth living/and i was worth it/
he made me sing when i thought i couldn't do what he wanted/
i was a (WISE girl) kid / i pushed him
probably past his limit many times/ just to see if he would let me down so i could walk away /but he never let me down/ and he never walked away /
he had a punishment that if u got out of line / 500 words on usually bach
/ i probaly got 500 words everyday for three years/ but i was always in room 111/ after school/ until he left for home/with many other students/
one memory he had a closet that he locked instruments in /a girl closed it while he was in there/ it locked / he had the key in his pocket/ i went and got the janitor to get him out/
he never believed that i didn't lock him in
well on the record lynn dirocco shut that door
and i got him out maybe now he knows for sure it was not me
when i was 12 he ran a talent show
one year i just goofed around with it
then the next year i told him ok
i want to sing my way
everybody said you are to young to sing that/ he let me do it/
he taped it / and played it back for everyone the next week/ i told him i can't believe its me/ it was the first time i heard my self/ i was surprised
/ now if i did not bust the gym teacher and guidance counsler so much
i might have come in first/ but i was 3rd/ but it did not matter
the music man rest in peace
u will always have the part of my heart that's filled with love for music
edison jr high west orange nj
October 13, 2009
Dear DeDe,
Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy. We feel honored to have known John, develop such a close friendship with him and learn of his great accomplishments in music.
With much love,
Hedva,Ilana,Phil,Etai, Nadav, Shira, Daphna, and last but not least: his New Yorker friend !
The Andrush Family
October 13, 2009
DeDe and Family,
Sending you lots of love and prayers at this difficult time. We are here if you need anything.
Denise Storer
October 12, 2009
DeDe, I was so sorry to hear about John. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If you need anything please call or write. I wish I could come down for the service, but I am not able to get away. John was a wonderful man and beautiful muscian. He will be missed by many. God Bless you and Keep you. Love Denise
October 12, 2009
DeDe, My prayers are with you. My heart overflows. His was a life well lived with those people and things he loved. With sympathy to you, Kay Kahle
October 12, 2009
DeDe, Violet and I mourn, with you, the loss of your husband, my brother, and are so grateful that we were able to spend the last hours of his exceptional life with you and all the others who loved him so. You...and he...are in our prayers. Ken and Violet
pamela Wakabayashi
October 12, 2009
DeDe, My thoughts and prayers to you. He was a kind and gentle man. Those crazy nights at BBW he never loss patience so I can only imagine the patience he had to fight this battle. Your memories are a blessing. Now heaven has a new angel. Pam Wakabayashi
October 12, 2009
Dear DeDe, We have been very fortunate and blessed, to be able to know John as a dear friend. We will cherish the laughs and wonderful memories, and always keep him close to our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and know that we are always here for you. Love, Donna, Rusty, & Justin
Phyllis Sipos
October 12, 2009
DeDe,
I am so sorry to hear about John. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find peace in your memories of your life together.
Phyllis Sipos
Randy Davison
October 10, 2009
DeDe, in this most difficult time my thoughts and prayers are with you.
October 10, 2009
Dear DeDe,
You were there every step of the way during John's courageous battle with cancer. You are in our prayers and know we are here for you.
Love,
Mike, Laura, Ryan, Amy, & (of course, Maggy, Lilly, and Mittens!)
October 10, 2009
I met John while walking on the treadmill at the Healthy You Fitness Center gym. Being a musician myself, John and I had much to talk about. He was, indeed, a very gifted and intelligent man and I'm happy to say that I knew him. My sympathy to his entire family.
Ginny Robertson, Emmaus
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