Bruce Eells McLennan

Bruce Eells McLennan Bruce Eells McLennan passed away peacefully at his home in Grover Beach on July 10, 2017. He was born in Shelton, Washington in 1942, but spent most of his life, from the age of four, in San Luis Obispo County. He loved the Central Coast and often reminded his children how lucky they were to live "in God's country." His favorite expression, one he said often was, "We have a lot to be thankful for." Bruce graduated from San Luis Obispo High School in 1960, then moved to Southern California to attend Ventura College. He completed his education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He met the love of his life, Judy, at Grace Church in San Luis Obispo in 1960 and they were married in Las Vegas, Nevada four years later. Bruce worked for the State of California for 25 years; most of that time was spent at the California Men's Colony, where he was affectionately known as "Big Mac." When his children were young, he spent his time taking them on adventures and cross-country road trips, where he stopped anywhere that looked fun. He also liked to body-surf, do macrame and make stained- glass windows. He never missed one of his children's basketball games or school programs. When Bruce retired in 1992, he spent the next several years fulfilling his lifelong dream of riding his bicycle down the West Coast of the United States. He spent three months travelling from Seattle to Arroyo Grande. He had so much fun that he next took the train across Canada then rode his bike from Maine to New York. He spent the rest of his retirement 'tinkering' around the house, taking care of his parents and spending time with his five beloved grandchildren. Bruce liked making people laugh and people loved to be around him. He was a jovial character, with shining blue eyes, a bushy beard, and a belly so jolly that he was 'Santa Claus' at The Manse every Christmas while his mother lived there. He was housebound for the last two years of his life, but still made a point of being kind to people, whether by giving them a box of See's candy, a thoughtful note, or a friendly wave from the window. Burce was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy; and his parents, Elmer and Florence. He will be missed by his children: Brennan and Kimberly (Daniel) Wickstrom; his grandchildren: Katie and Miles McLennan, and Lucy, Daisy and Lizzie Wickstrom; his sister, Margaret (Cordell) Leih; his brother, Bill (Jenann) McLennan; his sister-in-law, Joan (Bob) Holladay; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please give your loved ones a lot of hugs, especially those you might not like much at the moment. Life is short, and we really do have a lot for which to be thankful. Sign his guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries