Barrie MacLean

DR. BARRIE STUART MACLEAN On May 2, 2014, Barrie MacLean made a graceful exit following a short illness. As a physician he knew about cancer, he knew what was coming. He never flinched. He even made light of it. All he wanted was to attend his son's wedding - which he did. Born in Manchester in 1944 to Roy and Lillian MacLean, Dr. MacLean exemplified the working-class lad who, through talent and application, became a leader in his field. After graduating from Magdalen College, Oxford on merit scholarships, grants and bursaries, Dr. McLean served as senior house physician at three Oxford hospitals before settling on a career in paediatrics. Children interested him, and he interested them as well. He loved games, from soccer to crosswords. He had an infectious laugh. Parents appreciated his empathy as well as his expertise. In 1972 Dr. MacLean re-located to Vancouver in pursuit of an occupational therapist with whom he had fallen in love. His erstwhile love had remarried by the time he arrived, and so he fell in love with Vancouver instead. And then he met Moira, and Moira was it. To say that he excelled in his chosen field would be an understatement: At Vancouver General Hospital he served as Chief Resident and as a fellow in paediatric Neurology and Neonatology; at the University of BC he served as Assistant Head, Department of Paediatrics, as Director of the Residency Program, and as a Clinical Professor. In 1986, Dr. MacLean became President of BC Children's Hospital, and from 1998 until 2000, he acted as Medical Director for Canuck Place where he continued to serve until 2003. For Dr. MacLean, however, titles were not the point. Barrie would wish to be remembered as a superb physician, for the children he saved thanks to training, memory and quick thinking. Dr. MacLean leaves behind his beloved wife Moira, his son Cailean and wife Khalida, brothers David and Ronnie, sister Patricia, and her husband Dave. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the MUSQUEAM CULTURAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE, 4000 Musqueam Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia. In lieu of flowers, the MacLean family would welcome a donation to Canuck Place - www.canuckplace.org. Send condolences at www.mbfunerals.com.