Pat Binns released the following statement on the death of former Premier, Honourable J. Angus MacLean. Mr. MacLean died early today after suffering a stroke yesterday at his home in Lewes.
I feel a great personal loss. Angus was a friend and mentor. He was a great Islander and a great Canadian who fought for his country in war and who fought for what was best for Canada and Prince Edward Island through a very distinguished public service career at both the national and provincial level. To his wife, Gwen; daughters, Jeannie and Mary Esther; sons, Allan Duart and Robert Angus; and to their families I express my deepest sympathy. Angus will be sadly missed, but his great contributions will long be remembered.
I knew him as a friend, a farmer and political leader. His respect for the land, devotion to family, commitment to public service, and love of Prince Edward Island were always evident.
His heroic escape after being shot down in Europe during World War II was the subject of many articles, including his own book. To Angus, his greatest joy was the farm and family at Lewes, and it is comforting to know that until his death he enjoyed retirement at his home, the roots of his life and his principles.
BIOGRAPHY
Mr. MacLean was born May 15, 1914 at Lewes, Prince Edward Island. His ancestors had immigrated from Scotland in 1832.
He was educated at Summerside High School, Mount Allison University, and the University of British Columbia. He received Honourary Doctor of Laws degrees from Mount Allison University in 1958 and the University of Prince Edward Island in 1985.
He married Gwendolyn Esther Burwash, October 29, 1952.
Military Career:
Shot down while serving in the RCAF during World War II, he spent 10 weeks behind enemy lines until his successful escape from Nazi occupied Europe.
Former Director of the RCAF Memorial fund; Former Vice-President of CPA; Served with RCAF 1939-47; Mentioned in Dispatches, 1942; Commanded Test and Development Establishment, 1943-45; Missing Search and Inquiry Unit, Europe, 1945-47; Member of the United Services Officers' Club, Royal Canadian Legion. He was a representative to NATO Parliamentary Conference; Canadian-Japanese Ministerial Delegation, delegate to Commonwealth Conference. He led the Canadian Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on European Co-operation and Security in 1974.
Political career:
Member of the Privy Council.
Elected to the House of Commons in a by-election, June 25, 1951. Re-elected in 1953, 1957, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1968, 1972 and 1974. Appointed Minister of Fisheries June 21, 1957, and served as Minister until 1963. He resigned from the House of Commons October 20, 1976. On September 23, 1976 he was elected Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island.
He was first elected to the Prince Edward Island Legislature in a by-election November 8, 1977; re-elected in the general elections of 1978 and 1979; and sworn in as Premier of Prince Edward Island and President of the Executive Council on May 3, 1979.
He retired as Premier November 17, 1981, but continued to serve as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for 4th Queens until 1982.
He led the Prince Edward Island delegation during the First Ministers' Constitutional Conference in 1981.
Other Activities:
Member of the Masonic Lodge.
Served on Advisory Board of the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.
PEI Commissioner to Expo'86.
National Museums of Canada.
PEI Musuem and Heritage Foundation.
Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada, April 29, 1992.
Author of the book Making It Home.