Van McLean


Van McLean was born on the tenth day of the tenth month of 1920. He passed away Jan. 26, but his spirit, his drive for getting a task completed and his ability to disregard obstacles that hindered progress will be remembered by the many people who came in contact with Van during his 86 years of life.

These years include his five years in the Canadian army during the Second World War and his 35 years as an active longshoreman. After he retired on May 1, 1986 he spent 20 more years as an active supporter of his union by participating in the ILWU Pensioners Club.

He served six years as the club’s president, covering two Pacific Coast Pensioners Conventions held in Canada, 1999 and 2004, where Van and his wife Margaret (Betty) proved their ability to get things organized to help make the conventions a success.

Prior to his retirement Van was active in the affairs of the union, attending many conventions and caucuses dealing with policy of the union, and he held executive positions in Local 500 and, prior to the amalgamation of the Vancouver locals, his home Local 501. He served as BA in Local 500 from Nov. 1969 to Nov. 1970.

The ILWU Pensioners Organization expresses our condolences to Van’s family.