John F. MacLean, 99

LENOX, Mass. — John Finlay MacLean, 99, of Lenox died Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center.

Mr. MacLean was born on September 13, 1918, in Lenox, Mass., to the late Charles D. and Elizabeth Chilton MacLean and grew up on the Kneeland Estate, where his father was the Superintendent. He was a 1936 graduate of Lenox High School and was class president.  He later enrolled at Wentworth Institute in Boston, where he earned his associates degree in Electrical Installation and Maintenance in 1939.  

During World War II he joined the Navy and served as an electrician in the Sea Bees at the Panama Canal, Nicaragua, and Okinawa.  

Mr. MacLean returned to Lenox after the war and went to work as a plumber for Maskell and Lahert Co. until 1973, when he started MacLean Plumbing and Heating with his brother Donald and was active in the business until his retirement in 2010 at the age of 92.

Finlay enjoyed reading and drives through the Berkshires and New York State, and especially his annual ride with his wife to Newfoundland. He loved to discuss the history of Lenox and in particular the Great Estates. For many years he was a member of the Church on the Hill, serving on several committees, including the deaconate, and at one time was active in the Lenox Fire Co.

He and his wife, Marjorie Harmon MacLean, were married on June 25, 1988.

Besides his wife, Finlay leaves his two sons, Robert MacLean (Heidi) of Lenox and Bruce MacLean (Mary Beth) of Reno, Nev.; a grandson, Connor; three stepchildren, Michael Vaber of Lenox, Victoria Vaber-MacLennan (Mike) of New Orleans, La., and Christopher Vaber of Virginia Beach, Va.; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Phyllis Hurst MacLean, on May 10, 1972; and his brother, Charles Donald MacLean, on July 7, 2005.

Funeral notice: A graveside funeral service for Mr. J. Finlay Maclean will be held on April 25, 2018, at 2 p.m. at the family plot in Mountain View Cemetery in Lenox. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Finlay’s memory may be made to the Lenox Historical Society or the Church on the Hill, both in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240.