It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
CDR (Retired) Owen K. "Bud" MacLean OMM CD
October 7, 1933 - June 21, 2015
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Help Extend the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Eulogy Guestbook Biography Photos Media Life Stories Family Tree Contribute
<div itemprop="description">Commander Owen K. MacLean, OMM, CD, KCStG, RCN - 1933-2015 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Commander Owen K. (Bud) MacLean on Sunday 21 June, 2015. With his beloved and cherished wife Millie (nee Deveau) of 63 years and daughter Cindy (Vic) by his side, Bud died after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Left to mourn are their dear niece Valerie Fenimore and her husband Sam of Nashville, Tennessee, and their children Shayne and Jennifer, Niece Donna Leadbetter (nee) Barteoux, her husband Hugh Leadbetter, and Grandnephews Jeffery and Jason Leadbetter. <br />Bud was born in October, 1933 in Fort St. John, BC, the son of ranchers Vern and Roberta MacLean. At the age of 18 Bud joined the RCN as a &ldquo;sparker &ldquo;but quickly was drawn by the lure of Naval Aviation. Ordinary Seaman MacLean rose through the ranks of the RCN. He was awarded his Observers Mate Wings in 1954 and received his commission in 1964 as a Limited Duty Officer. He finally retired in 1980 as Commander MacLean and the Commanding Officer of a Naval Air Squadron. <br />Bud was a true gentleman, a consummate professional who personified Naval Aviation. He served in a wide variety of ships at sea including both the Aircraft Carriers HMCS Magnificent and HMCS Bonaventure and he served in many capacities. While in the helicopter destroyer HMCS Nipigon in 1971, he was the sole survivor of a tragic Sea King crash in the Atlantic and for his action was subsequently recognized and invested into the Order of Military Merit as an Officer by the Governor General. In his quiet way, Bud exuded leadership. He led by example and he led in front. He was a teacher and mentor and he saw the best in everyone. <br />On retiring from the military Bud spent 20 equally successful years in our national aerospace industry predominantly with Litton Systems Canada. He worked tirelessly on Veteran&rsquo;s issues and in recognition of this in 2013 was invested into the Knightly Order of St. George as a Knight and in June, 2015 was raised to the rank of Knight Commander. But Bud never forgot his naval roots and worked diligently up until his death to preserve, in an historical sense, the role Canadian Naval Aviation played during the Cold War era. This was his passion and legacy. <br />The flame is extinguished but the light will shine forever. Friends are invited to visit the Hall of Colours of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. (east of Vanier Parkway) Ottawa, Monday July 6 after 10 a.m. Memorial Service will be held in the Sacred Space at 11 a.m. followed by interment with Military Honours at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces. Following the interment, a reception in honour of Bud will be held in the Borden &amp; Fleming Suites of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (www.ottawacancer.ca) or to Wounded Warriors Canada (www.woudnedwarriors.ca) will be greatly appreciated. <br /> <br />&ldquo;Who walkedst on the foaming deep <br /> And calm amid its rage didst sleep&rdquo; <br /></div>