Biography:

Dr. Edwin Malcolm McLean was born in Colchester South Township, near Harrow, Ontario on the 29th of October, 1915.  Dr. Mclean was the youngest of 6 children born to Jacob Korah McLean and the former May Eva Wright.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Irvine Owen McLean, George McLean (born prematurely and died on the 22nd of July, 1899), Mildred Merle McLean, Clarence Ladson McLean and Hugh Evert McLean.  Dr. McLean was educated in Harrow and attended Walkerville Collegiate High School, before he went to Queen’s University Medical School.  Dr. McLean graduated M.D. in 1940 and interned at The Metropolitan General Hospital in Windsor.

In May of 1941, Dr. McLean set up his medical practice in Wheatley, in the former office of Dr. Frederick Ord Topping.

Dr. McLean married Gladys Isabel Rusling on the 22nd of June, 1940 in Toronto, Ontario.  Mrs. McLean was born in Windsor, Ontario on the 19th of February, 1915.  She was the eldest of 3 children born to James Donald Rusling and the former Sarah Peters.   She had a brother named James Edward Rusling who was born in Windsor on the 29th of August, 1916 and a sister named Dorothy.  Mrs. McLean’s father enlisted in WWI in Windsor on the 29th of May,1917 leaving Mrs. Rusling with 2 small children to care for.  When he enlisted the Rusling family resided at 109 Aylmer Avenue in Windsor and Mr. Rusling’s occupation was listed as a painter.  Mr. Rusling was shot in the left leg in France on the 29th of August, 1918.  His leg was broken and he was invalided back to Canada on the 21st of May, 1919.  According to the 1921 census, the Rusling family lived at 347 Elm Avenue in Windsor and Mr. Rusling was a bookkeeper.  Mrs. McLean was a stenographer.

In the 7th of June, 1945 issue of the Wheatley Journal it was reported that Dr. McLean had been released from army duty and he was able to resume his medical practice in Wheatley.

Dr. and Mrs. McLean had 3 sons; Robert, James and Wayne.  In 1972, the McLean family resided at 52 Erie St. North in Wheatley.

Dr. McLean was involved in the development of the Leamington Memorial Hospital and was it’s first Director of Medicine.  Dr. McLean was a member of the Windsor Medical Association and he was a Coroner until 1985.  He took an active interest in many groups, clubs and teams.  He was a founding member of the Talbot Trail Golf Course.  Dr. McLean belonged to the Oddfellows, the Kinsmen and he was a Mason. He enjoyed lawn bowling and had a passion for baseball.  He enjoyed being a coach to many baseball teams over the years.  Dr. McLean was selected as the Citizen of the Year in Wheatley, in 1978.  He was a Director of the Wheatley and District Friendship Seniors Club. Dr. Mclean was the recipient of a Canada 125 Medal in 1993, honouring his civic involvement.  Dr. McLean was a also a recipient of the Glenn Sawyer Service Award from the Ontario Medical Association.  This award is bestowed upon a physician who has greatly contributed to his/her community and the medical profession.

Dr. McLean retired from his medical practice in 1981.  He continued to do locum coverage from 1982 until 1995.

Mrs. McLean died on the 21st of January, 1995.  Dr. McLean died at the Leamington District Hospital on the 12th of May, 2007.  Dr. and Mrs. McLean were buried at the Erie Cemetery in Wheatley.

*Dr. Frederick Ord Topping is also featured on the Chatham-Kent Physician Tribute website.

**The webmaster is grateful for the research assistance of D. Reinhardus.