McClelland, Hugh Wilson

Hugh Wilson McClelland passed away peacefully at K.W. Health Centre of Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, on Sunday, December 11, 2016, in the loving company of his wife and best friend, Joanne (nee Zifer). He had struggled with declining health in the last few years and had just celebrated his 85th birthday two weeks earlier and his 28th wedding anniversary on December 9th.
Loving stepfather of Blanche (Jim) Myers, Bill Haakinson, Deb (Bill) Graves, Andy (Linda) Cihon, David (Carol) Cihon, Steve (Christine) Cihon, Lori (Mike) Dapoz
Cherished grandfather of Amy Jarrells, Cristy Secrest, Brian, Andy, Matt & Libby Haakinson, Maggie Cruise, Bill Graves, Shelby, Ron & Zack Cihon, Brittany Perry, Mitchel & Nathan Valentine. Much-loved great-grandfather to 17 great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Kevin, Kayden, Tia, Cody, Gwen, Isabella, Lucy, Lillian, Grace, Julia, Owen, Noah, Silas, Scarlett, Brice and Logan.
Hughie will be sadly missed by siblings, Gladys McClelland, Jean (Stan) Sadler, Sandra Henderson, Margaret Murphy, Jessie (Robert) Mieklam, Alexander Baird, George (Carol) Zifer, Audrey Barr, Shirley Ernest, Lois (Andy) Wells, Ron Zifer, Tom (Anita) Zifer, Angie (Jeff) Lemasters.
Hughie had a large extended family including many in Scotland, UK. He was loved and will be missed by many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. In particular, Hughie and Joanne appreciated the help and support of Rob and Kathryn during his extended hospital stays in the K-W area.
Predeceased by his parents, George McClelland and Sarah Baird, and Margaret Zifer, and by his sister, Sally Wilson and brother, William McClelland. Also by step-daughter Roanne Haakinson, and brothers-in-law, Alex Wilson, George Henderson, Robert Zifer, Denny Barr, Richard Ernest, and sister-in-law Polly Zifer.
Biography – Hugh was born in Hamilton, Scotland on November 27, 1931. He served in the British army before emigrating to Canada in the late 1950’s. He established himself in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and obtained his mechanic’s licence, specializing in large diesel engines. In 1971, he moved north to Matachewan where he owned and operated Christie’s Camp, a hunting and fishing camp, for the next 40 years. It was during this time that he met his wife, Joanne, and was adopted by her large, loving family. She belonged to a group of Hughie’s friends in the Ohio-Pennsylvania area who were regulars at his tourist camp. Thus began many years of travel between up north and down south and in-between, loving and being loved by friends and family everywhere. Hughie was a larger than life figure who made friends everywhere he went. He was always full of stories and was still sharing jokes with the medical staff and his roommates in the last days. He became well-known from his stays at Grand River such that he and Joanne had regular visits from numerous staff from the telephone lady and porters to his kidney specialist, Dr Rosenstein, who by coincidence had spent a lot of time fishing on the same Lake Mistinikon. A special thanks to all those who took care of him and made his stays there more tolerable.
He was a mason who belonged to a lodge in Elk Lake, Ontario as well as in Canton, Ohio. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Moose Lodge in Dover, Ohio. He built close relationships, especially around his hobbies of hunting and fishing. He will be sadly missed by his regular hunting and fishing buddies. He had a big heart and could always be relied upon to lend a hand. In his latter years, as his robust health began to fail, he received many gifts of help and support from his various communities. He sincerely appreciated all the friendships and acts of kindness from his friends in Matachewan and Ohio.
Friends may call at the Ayr Chapel, Wm. Kipp Funeral Home, 183 Northumberland St. Ayr on Saturday, December 17, from 10-11 AM. The funeral service will continue at 11 am followed by a reception. Since Hughie much preferred to see flowers in bloom in nature, he would have appreciated a donation in lieu of flowers. Donations to the Kidney Foundation or the Grand River Hospital Foundation or another charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting Wm. Kipp (519) 632 8228

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