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IN MEMORIAM: Colin MacLean (LLB '90)

Posted by Jane Doucet on February 24, 2017 in News

The Schulich School of Law extends its sympathy and condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Colin MacLean, who died on Feb. 21.

Born in Halifax in 1965, MacLean had been the president and CEO of the Waterfront Development Corporation since 2008. He had been on leave from the provincial Crown corporation for about a year, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

MacLean earned his BA from the University of King鈥檚 College and a BEd and LLB from 黄色直播. He was a member of King鈥檚 Board of Governors and Chair of the Campus Planning Committee.

鈥淚t is very clear from the King鈥檚 community鈥檚 reaction to the news of Colin鈥檚 death that he was loved by those who attended King鈥檚 with him. Getting to know him in his life after King鈥檚, it was easy to see why,鈥 says King鈥檚 President and Vice-Chancellor William Lahey, who is teaching Canadian Legal History at the Schulich School of Law this semester. 鈥淗e was smart and wise but also kind, generous, easygoing, and funny. He liked people and he was truly dedicated to his community and to helping it be the great community he knew it was, including by finding time in his busy life to serve on the King鈥檚 Board.鈥

After MacLean was admitted to the Bar of Nova Scotia, he chose not to practise law and instead accepted a position setting up an experimental alternative school for the Lunenburg County District School Board in Bridgewater, N.S. He and his wife, Marilla, then taught for two years in the Inuit village of Taloyoak, the most northern settlement on the continent, where he introduced the first high school classes offered that far north.

Colin wore all his fine qualities and many accomplishments lightly, whether as a superb pick-up hockey player, builder of a new community college, or creator of a revitalized waterfront for the city he loved."聽鈥 William Lahey, President and
Vice-Chancellor, University of King's College

When MacLean returned to Halifax in 1996, he was appointed to a position in the central administration of the newly formed Nova Scotia Community Colege. The role combined the functions of general legal counsel, secretary to the Board, and assistant to the first president, Jack Buckley; he then became vice-president under president Ray Ivany. He had a special interest in the design of NSCC鈥檚 Waterfront Campus in Dartmouth, which overlooks Halifax Harbour.

MacLean鈥檚 peers are remembering him as a visionary leader, a gentleman with a sharp wit, and a creative thinker who came up with innovative solutions. He was also a beloved husband, father, and friend.

鈥淐olin was a natural at family life and friendship,鈥 says Lahey. 鈥淗e wore all his fine qualities and many accomplishments lightly, whether as a superb pick-up hockey player, builder of a new community college, or creator of a revitalized waterfront for the city he loved. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered at King鈥檚 for a long time to come 鈥 in many ways, he epitomized the approach to life that King鈥檚 and the Schulich School of Law inspire in their students.鈥

MacLean is survived by wife Marilla, daughter Mollie, and son Lewis. A celebration of his life will be held at Saint Andrew鈥檚 United Church, 6036 Coburg Rd., on Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.