On behalf of Colin's family and many friends, we are very sorry to announce his passing on August 19, at the Caritas Residence in Halifax. Colin suffered from Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. It took him too early, but not before he created for himself a very full life.

Born in North York, Ontario on March 25, 1961, Colin was the first child of Dr. Raymond and Betty MacLean. He was fortunate to grow up in Lanark, in a stable, supportive environment, part of a large extended family, with kids his age in almost every house along the two miles to town.

Colin's way was to jump with both feet into whatever interested him, invariably recruiting others to join him. His list of interest was lengthy: collecting stamps, coins, hockey cards and butterflies; playing competitive chess, learning the bagpipes; and excelling in hockey, softball, basketball and bowling, all before becoming a teenager.

Colin focused on hockey and softball in his teen years, playing on successful midget teams in hockey and junior teams in softball, making lifelong friends with his teammates and coaches in the process. By this time, Colin’s interest in keeping records manifested itself. He inherited both his father’s enthusiasm for the past and his discipline for recording it. He kept game sheets and a journal summarizing games he played, before becoming the statistician for numerous hockey and softball leagues. He was also active as an umpire and referee.

Colin graduated from St. F. X. with a business degree before achieving his MBA from St. Mary’s University. He earned his CMA designation in 2003 and his Fellow Designation in August 2013. While in school, Colin joined the Phi Kappa Pi fraternity, remaining involved long after graduation.

In 1998, Colin joined the Advanced Management Centre of Henson College at Dalhousie University. His initial responsibilities included course creation for the Credit Union Institute of Canada and management of various College Certificate Programs. Eventually, he wrote or edited dozens of courses for these national programs, and due to his depth of understanding of the finance industry, he assumed parallel responsibilities for the Master of Business Administration (Financial Services), where he created or edited dozens of MBA(FS) courses for the Faculty of Management. Colin also became the lead for the University in Credit Union development projects in Barbados and Belize. Throughout his time at Dalhousie as an Associate Professor in the College of Continuing Education, Colin actively participated in the management of the College in various leadership capacities until his retirement in 2020.

Colin and his wife Allison Edwards lived in Bedford, NS, raising their son Conor. Colin immersed himself in Conor’s life, coaching him in hockey and taking him on family trips, including trips to see hockey games in many NHL arenas. He volunteered in Bedford and District Minor Hockey as coach and Executive member and is remembered as having a tremendous impact on many young hockey players’ development.

He never lost his love of collecting or history. As an adult, Colin dove into his family genealogy, visiting graveyards, researching records and interviewing family members both in Nova Scotia and in England, where his mother was raised. He helped organize a very successful Gillis family reunion in 2005, drawing Gillis descendants from all over North America.

He amassed an eclectic assortment of stuff, including original 18th century maps and furniture, ancient swords and signed photos of actors and musicians. He focused on sports memorabilia, buying seats from Maple Leaf Gardens, Montreal Forum and Madison Square Garden. He owned the white board from the Maple Leaf’s dressing room. He had extensive collections of hockey cards, magazines and signed hockey jerseys.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Scotia Whiskey Society, serving as treasurer for many years and amassing a collection of over 200 bottles. He was on the Board of Directors of Shelter Nova Scotia and active on the Board’s Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Colin had a natural authority about him, commanding attention without effort. He had the uncommon ability to do things his way, and he was utterly unfazed when he went against the grain. His love of history developed from a strong sense of loyalty and generosity to his community, to family and to friends. In return, he earned the respect of everyone who knew him, whether at work or in his personal life. Very sadly, Colin fell victim to the destructive effects of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, which robbed him of his renowned mental clarity and strength. He spent his last three years at Caritas Residence; a senior care facility located near Mount St. Vincent in Halifax. Allison and Conor will be forever grateful to the wonderful staff at Caritas for their sympathetic and caring treatment of Colin, and to the family and friends who graciously gave their time to visit Colin and assist during his illness.

Colin will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Allison Edwards, his son, Conor, his brother Neil MacLean (Annette), Burnaby and sister, Margie MacLean (Colin Fowles), North Vancouver, his brother and sisters in law Taylor and Melanie Edwards and Lynn Edwards, his nieces, Julia and Jacquie MacLean and Ashley, Morgan, Emily and Rachel Edwards, his many cousins on the MacLean side and their families, and his mother Betty’s family in England, including Aunts Doreen Gillow and Margaret Gillow, his cousins and their families. He will also be missed by his beloved cats, Marley and Ovi, who brought him much joy.

Colin will also be remembered by the extended Dunn step-family; Elizabeth Skode (Dartmouth), Helen MacLean (Pugwash), Kathy (Malagash), Philip (Mende, France), Michael (Halifax) and Patrick (Calgary).

He was predeceased by his father, Raymond and mother, Betty, and stepmother, Betty (Liz) MacLean (Dunn).

A devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan and a true cat lover, he had a warm heart for the things and people he loved and a great sense of humour. His memory will live on in the stories shared and the laughter remembered. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held sometime in 2027.

Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia would be appreciated.