Blowers MacLean
Blowers MacLean Obituary
Donald Bernard Blowers MacLean (Blowers)
Donald Bernard Blowers Mac Lean (Blowers) of Sydney Mines passed away peacefully Sunday, May 16, 2021 at the age of 89 with family at his side.
Blowers was the eldest son of Katherine and Bernard Mac Lean. He was raised in North Sydney, then moved to Sydney Mines after marrying Frances. It is here they would raise their 10 children and where he remained until his passing.
Blowers lived a life of service. It was not unusual for him to pick up a man on the street and bring him home, to our mother’s surprise, for a hot meal. He volunteered at the Sydney Mines Food Bank for 20 years and was a member of the Board. He believed no child should be without food and he worked selflessly to ensure those in need were provided for. He was a leader in the St. Pius X Church, having served on various committees and was a good friend to each priest who arrived to serve the community. His volunteer work was celebrated when he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Blowers enjoyed a “long” car ride thus took many of his children along the back roads of Cape Breton Island looking for a “rare find” of a car he could make new again. He could repair any make or model in his spare time, but he was a “Dodge” man through and through. His home away from home was his garage and many neighbors knew where to go for some friendly advice or a helping hand.
Blowers loved his family and was loved in return. His grandchildren admired his good health and sense of humor in his later years. He loved music, especially a well-played violin and attending an antique car show wherever he could find one. After his first wife passed, he would later marry Shirley who was a great companion in his later years. They enjoyed all family gatherings, local travel, going out for dinner and a good game of cards.
Blowers worked for Nova Scotia Power for many years, retiring from the Lingan Plant in 1993. He valued the friendships formed from his work at that site.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shirley; children Debbie Mac Donald (James), Darlene Keeping, Brian Mac Lean (Colleen), Sharon Lovell (Larry), Kathy Walker (Johnny), Brenda Boutilier (Hector), Valerie Smith (Tom), Wanda Ehler (Evans), and Sheldon; 23 grandchildren ,27 great grandchildren, brothers Eric, Clifford, Harvey, sister Evelyn Mac Lean and extended family. He was predeceased by his loving wife and mother of their 12 children Frances (Pyke); his parents Bernard and Katherine; brothers Mickey and Adrian; sister Audrey, daughter Joan, a daughter and son in infancy and grandson Christopher.
It is with sadness that we say goodbye, but we will be forever grateful for the time we were granted and the many memories we share. We would like to thank the nurses on 4 East at the Northside General, Dr. Cohen, VON, Homecare and Cancer Clinic staff, family and friends who were there for our father in his final months. Your compassion was appreciated by all. A special thank you to Dr. Peter Poulos. Our father was so grateful to have you as his Family Physician. If family and friends so desire, a memorial contribution in Blowers’ memory may be made to the Sydney Mines Food Bank. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
