William “Bill” Brian McLean of Strathmore, Alberta passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 29, 2005 at the age of 45 years.
Bill was born June 12, 1959 at Erickson, Manitoba to Clayton and Ida McLean. He attended school at Elphinstone, MB and completed high school at Strathclaire, MB. Bill began working for Vernon McIntyre at a seed cleaning plant at Elphinstone following his education where he worked for several years. In 1979 Bill moved to Champion, AB and worked in seismic for a short period of time. From 1980 – 1985 he worked as a service tech for Deere Country in Vulcan. On July 16, 1983 Bill married Anita Gelden and they began their lives together and raised two children. In 1985 he worked at Vulcan PetroCan as a service tech for three years. In 1988 Bill started his own business “Bill’s Bobcat Service” and also worked for McKay Soil and Services. In 1996 Bill and Anita went their separate ways. In 2001 Bill began a special relationship with Sharon Gorzitza. He continued operating his own business and working for Mckay until 2003 when he sold the business. In 2004 he began working for Rattray Reclamation as a service tech in Strathmore, where he continued to work until his passing.
Bill enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, tinkering on old cars and fixing anything that he could get his hands on. He also enjoyed country music concerts, anything western and working with wood. Bill’s greatest passion of all was work. There was no in-between, it was either work or sleep. He was always there to help whether you wanted his assistance or not. Bill was a member of the Vulcan Fish and Wildlife Association and the Vulcan County Cruisers.
Bill is survived by his fiancé Sharon Gorzitza of Calgary and her children Jennifer McIntosh of Cremona and Mike McIntosh of Calgary, loving father of a daughter Cassandra McLean of Bow Island, a son Brian McLean of Medicine Hat and their mother Anita McLean of Bow Island, Bill’s mother Ida McLean of Penticton, BC, nine sisters Gail Nagorski of Strathclaire, MB, Shirley Holmes of Elphinstone, MB, Eva (Barry) Schetter of Killarney, MB, Margaret (Walter) Trush of Dauphin, MB, Patty (Ken) Fowler of Carmangay, Izzy (Dick) Ellis of Champion, Norma (Ray) Tesarski of Rossburn, MB Charlotte (Kevin) Schalin of Arrowwood,and Sandy (Paul) Oulette of Red Deer, six brothers Doug of Lethbridge, Harry (Diane) of Strathclaire, MB, James of Neepawa, MB, John of Saskatoon, SK, George (Holly) of Salisbury, NB and Richard (Sandra) of Calgary, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Bill was predeceased by three brothers Clay, Kenny, Clarence and his father Clayton.
Funeral service Saturday, June 4, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. at the Cultural Recreation Center at Vulcan with Sue MacDonald D.M. officiating.
Honorary bearers Ken Nadobny, Fred Minor and Ron Gorzitza.
Casket bearers Alan Gorzitza, Steven Gorzitza, Larry Holowachuk, Ken Nadobny Jr., Eric McKay and David McKay.
Cremation to follow.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Bill ’s memory can be made to either P.A.R.T.Y., 960 – 19 Street South, Lethbridge T1J 1W5 or S.A.D.D. Alberta, PO Box 7220 Postal Station E, Calgary T3C 3M1.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.