It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Donald (Don) James MacLean. Don passed away peacefully on July 13, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones, at the age of 78 years. Don was a wonderful person who touched the lives of everyone he met. He will be remembered as a loving and caring man who was exceptionally devoted to his family.
A prairie boy at heart, Don was born and raised in Winnipeg. In 1960, the family relocated to Montreal, where he met his future wife, Heidi. After marrying in 1972, Heidi and Don moved to Ottawa, where they settled down and started their family with the births of Craig and Elizabeth. In the 1980s, the family bought a cottage on Grand Lake, in Val-des-Monts, Quebec. The cottage on Grand Lake provided an excellent location for outdoor adventures and entertaining, and it has remained an important focal point for family life ever since.
Don was bright, ambitious and driven to succeed in his career in telecommunications. His efforts and achievement were rewarded in 1992, when he was offered a diplomatic position at the International Communications Union in Geneva. Life in Switzerland offered new opportunities and excitement, but Ottawa remained the family home, and they moved back in 1999.
Don had varied interests, tireless energy and an infectious love of life. He was passionate about politics, history and literature, and he had an endearing interest in his Scottish cultural roots. These esoteric interests were matched by his love of canoeing, skiing, tennis, walking, slapstick comedy and his beloved Ottawa Senators. Don loved good food, good company and a hearty draught of fine scotch.
Heidi was Don’s loving wife and constant companion through thick and thin. In 51 years of marriage they travelled the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica. They doted on their children and beloved grandchildren, spoiling them with affection and attention at every possible opportunity.
Don passed away surrounded by the love of those who were closest to him, at peace with the end of his life and proud of all that he had been able to accomplish.
Friends are invited to celebrate Don’s life and assemble in the Sacred space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa on Thursday July 25th after 12 noon. A memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. followed by a reception. Those unable to attend in person, may attend virtually via live stream and register here. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Canadian Nurses Foundation to honour the exceptional care he received over the last few years.
Digital Guestbook
Joan and Roland Dorsay
Elwood and Karen Enns
Don was simply an extraordinary man. He had an ever-present smile that reflected the person he was. Don was always a pleasure to be around and I loved the chats I could have with him. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Heidi and the whole family.
Elwood
Heather Creech
I was very sorry to learn of Don’s passing. He brought an incredible wealth of experience and wisdom to our team at the International Institute for Sustainable Development — generous, kind, thoughtful and patient as we pulled together our ideas and networks to make the world a better place. My heartfelt condolences to Heidi and the family. He will be greatly missed.
Bill Drake
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Don's passing. He was truly a real gentleman who made many contributions to global policy processes. On telecom issues, he was a key advocate at the ITU in Geneva and thereafter for institutional reforms and liberalization. On Internet issues, during the WSIS he helped shape the thinking about the nature of Internet governance and the importance of multistakeholder cooperation and openness. And on a personal note, he was very supportive of me e.g. by getting me offices in the ITU secretariat during four summers in the early 90s to do research, contributing to meetings and projects I organized, etc. Very sharp thinker with a great demeanor, a solid guy who will be very much missed.
Lauren Evans
It was my pleasure and honour to have met and spent some time with Heidi and Don. Don was indeed a wonderful, generous and warm person. My best wishes go out to the family. ❤️
Ralph & Betty De Carlo
Heidi, Craig, & Elizabeth
Please accept our sincere condolences to you and you family.
Don and you Heidi are great people and the world should have more like you.
It was a pleasure dealing with you .
Don was a role model for his family, as his family always came first.
He maybe gone but will never be forgotten.
Ralph & Betty De Carlo
Terry Ford
Heidi - So sad to hear if Don’s passing. What a great guy he was, with such good values. I had a chance to work with him interdepartmentally and then had the pleasure of knowing him at Grand Lake. He will be missed by many. Thank you for the fulsome obituary. Keep well
BRIAN REYNOLDS
I am very sad and in deep shock having learned of the death of a fine colleague and friend. I served with Don on the Grand Lake Association Executive where I respected his ability to gain the confidence of all the membership. He will be missed. Thank you Don.
Shathiso Coyne
Dear Heidi, I was so saddened to hear of your tragic loss and can only imagine how tough it must be to lose a life partner of over 50 years. Sending you and your children love and strength to get through the coming days, months and years without him. It won’t be easy to do now but one day you will be able to look back at the life you built together, all the memories you created, with a smile and gratitude that you got to share this life with him. But for now, give yourself the time and grace you need to grieve and heal.
May his beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.
Lots of love,
Shathiso
Joanne and Zoe Rath
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. We wish we could be there with you. Sending our love.
Joanne and Zoe
Our sincere sympathies to the family on Don’s passing.
Don and his sister Elspeth moved to a house across the street from me in Montreal in the early 1960s. Don, Heidi, Elspeth and I went to high school together and when Roland and I moved to Ottawa in 1973 Don and Heidi were the first to greet us and help us establish ourselves.
Don was a person of considerable kindness and integrity and had a wonderful sense of humour and of the ridiculous. We will miss him.