Obituary

 Below is an obituary from Carrier Family Funeral Home & Crematory:

SALEM, NH — Robert Albert McLean, 86, surrounded by family, passed away at his home on March 21, 2023. He was born in Boston, MA on December 11, 1936 to Madeline Goodale McLean and Walter L. McLean.

He grew up in Dorchester, MA with his four siblings. He entered Boston Latin School when he was twelve and spent the next six years there. When he graduated in 1954, he was proficient in Latin and a fluent speaker of German.

He attended the College of Liberal Arts at Boston University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1952. Two years later, he had earned the degree Ed.M from the B.U. School of Education. Later on, he attended Sarah Lawrence University, New York state, for studies in Spanish History and Literature.

Bob had always intended to teach school as his parents had done. His excellent academic preparation and his sense of humor enabled him to excel in this profession. He taught German and Latin at Wilmington High School for four years and Spanish at Melrose High School for thirty-three years. He also worked at cruning property rental.

Bob met his wife Carolyn the first day of college. They were married on April 13, 1957, in Lebanon. NH. Last April they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

The McLean’s raised their four sons first in Woburn, MA and then in North Reading, MA. They enjoyed camping and when their youngest son was barely three years old, they camped with his brother Walter’s family for several weeks in Italy, Germany, and Austria.

Bob was a talented musician, when in school he played the trumpet in the Boston Latin School Band, the Boston Roma Marching Band, and the Fireman’s Band.

In his retirement years, he enjoyed playing horn with friends and the “Retreads Band”, due to his service in the 26th Army Band. Having a fine tenor voice, he always sang in the choir of his church and led a senior center chorus.

Always ready with a joke or story, Bob entertained students and friends alike, tailoring his joke to fit the student. He was devoted to his parents, siblings, and many nieces and nephews, and enjoyed the many family gatherings.

Bob was devoted to his Catholic faith, always attending weekly mass. When unable to go out recently, he took great comfort in watching mass on TV, saying the rosary, and receiving the eucharist weekly from a friend.

Mr. McLean leaves his wife of nearly 66 years, Carolyn; sons, Edward D. McLean and his wife Patricia D. McLean of Billerica, MA; Kevin W. McLean of Amherst, ME, Kenneth W. McLean and his wife Lisa L. McLean of Salem, NH; daughter-in-law, Rowena M. Littan McLean of Lowell, MA. In addition, there are twelve grandchildren, Stephen W. Corbett-McLean, Sean Corbett-McLean, Cayden N. McLean of Lowell, MA, Kaitlyn M.C. Corbett-McLean, and Jamie R. Corbett-McLean of Las Vegas, NV; Benjamin D. McLean of Exeter, NH; James R. McLean of Boston, MA, Abagail M. McLean of Billerica, MA; Keegan S. McLean of Hodgden, ME, Erland L. McLean of Amherst, MA, Skyler H. McLean of Unity, ME, and Jacob M. McLean of Salem, NH. His great granddaughters are Catherine, Penelope, Lucy Ana Corbett-Colen, all of Haverhill, MA, Willow J. Hennery of Las Vegas, NV, and Alice McLean of Hodgdon, ME.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Stephen R. McLean.

Funeral Services were held on March 28th, 2023. Visiting Hours took place from 9:30am to 11:30am at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. A Funeral Mass was held at 12pm at St. Joseph’s Church, 40 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079. Burial and Military Honors were held in May at the Bedford Center Cemetery in Bedford, NH.

For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.carrierfuneralhome.com.