Raymond ‘Paul’ McLean

Paul McLean passed away on Monday, December 11, 2023 at the age of 71 at St. Joseph’s Hospice, London. Predeceased by his parents Raymond Nelson (1986) and Marie Emilda (née Robichaud) (1987) and sister Norma Emily (2017). He is survived by his wife and best friend of 40 years, Carolyn; sister-in-law, Sharon Clarke; brother-in-law, Ken Nurse; and his nieces: Emily (Jeff), Lindsay, Bethany, and Megan (Kevin), and their children.

Paul was born and raised in London, and lived in Sarnia for a while during high school. He started work at Baker of London, first as a jeweller making rings and then as operations manager. He then trained as a medical laboratory technologist, working in Biochemistry and Pathology at the London hospitals. Carolyn met Paul at the UWO Judo Club in 1981. Paul was formerly a brown belt from his high school days in Sarnia, and Carolyn a novice. Carolyn would joke that “she fell for him”.

Paul’s lifelong passion was cycling. He was very active in the London Cycling Club, London Centennial Wheelers, and Forest City Velodrome. Paul and Carolyn had many memorable cycling vacations in Europe and once to New Zealand, riding over 40,000 km on vacations alone. Paul would prepare for these trips with French, Spanish, and Italian language courses. In addition to being an avid cyclist, he was a skilled and accomplished bicycle mechanic, able to build frames and wheels.

After a cycling accident in 2014, a cervical spine injury made it difficult for him to ride standard road and track bikes. But he modified his bikes and kept riding. In 2017, Paul completed the 100 km circuit of the Three Ports Tour. And despite a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in July 2022, he continued to ride. His last was a 28 km ride to Ilderton on September 23 of this year.

He enjoyed spending time with his friends John Clemente, Paul Poppy, and Alasdair Beaton. His favourite way to spend Friday evenings was dinner at David’s Bistro and exchanging bad jokes with David Chapman. Paul was very happy to be able to attend the wedding of his niece Megan in Cambridge on September 30, and see many family members for the first time since COVID.

Many thanks to the C7 and LRCC Oncology Nurses. Special thanks to Julie. Cremation has taken place, and interment will occur in Alvinston in the spring; there will not be a service. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Paul are asked to consider St. Joseph’s Hospice of London or Myeloma Canada.