It is with profound sorrow and broken hearts to announce that Ryan Glen McLean passed away at the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich, Ontario, while surrounded by his loved ones at 1:45pm on Saturday August 1, 2026, at the age of 42, after his courageous battle against cancer.
Ryan was born at the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital just past 7am on Monday June 25, 1984. He is survived by his loving parents Rick & Colleen McLean of Goderich and his heartbroken older brother Rickie McLean. Ryan has joined his beloved late grandfather Robert (Bob) Straughan and was the cherished grandchild of Shirley Straughan and her partner Art Freeman. In addition, Ryan joined his loving paternal grandparents, Robert (Bob) and Edna McLean of Goderich.
Ryan is survived by his loving uncles Jason Straughan, Randy (Judy) McLean, and Tim (Kathy) McLean and he was preceded in death by his uncle, Ronnie Straughan. Ryan will be forever missed by his many loving cousins and his cherished friends.
Ryan was always a loyal friend who would do whatever he could to help his friends and family. He would fight for the ideals for which he stood for and that he thought was right and just. In Ryan’s 42 years of life, he accomplished a lot. In his earliest years Ryan could be found singing in the choir at Knox Presbyterian Church, winning cross country running races, and setting track and field records for Robertson Memorial Public School. He could be seen running through the open fields and forests behind Suncoast Drive with his friends, riding his bike with friends to jump into his grandpa and grandma Straughan’s pool, or walking the forest trails with his grandfather Straughan and his family at the lot in Saltford. Another fond memory Ryan had was his visits to see the horses at the Goderich Racetrack where he would spend time learning about horses from his grandpa and grandma McLean.
Ryan’s favourite time of the year was the second week of July because his family would travel to Wright Point Resort in Port Loring, Ontario to vacation with friends. Whether it was tubing behind the boat, fishing, or playing on the beach these cherished memories meant everything to Ryan.
As a teenager during his high school years Ryan exceled at math and he loved to play golf, hockey, and baseball. Ryan was quite skilled at the sports he competed in and he had to travel long distances to play the games, and he would complete his homework during the travel. As Ryan became an adult his interests expanded to include researching history, politics, and learning about finance.
Another cherished memory that Ryan had was the time his grandpa and grandma Straughan took him to visit his favourite singer Elvis Presley’s home at Graceland. It brought a smile to Ryan’s face when he realized that he would be the same age as Elvis when he would pass away.
Ryan was usually seen wearing a Chicago White Sox hat and the jersey of his favourite athlete Wayne Gretzky. He always enjoyed telling the story about the time he was 11 years old and his older brother Rickie held him up over the glass so that he could pat Gretzky on the shoulder pad while he walked to the dressing room at the old Joe Louis Areana in Detroit.
Ryan had a job since he was 8 years old. His first job was as a paperboy for the Goderich Signal Star. As a teenager Ryan went to work at the Sunset Golf Course. After high school Ryan worked for Volvo Motor Graders until the factory closed. Ryan’s final job was as a driver for Ideal Supply.
Even though he was in a lot of pain it meant so much to Ryan that in his final days he had the opportunity to leave the hospital and go to the beach and watch the sunrise and look out at Lake Huron with his father.
As the 19th century minister and scholar Minot J. Savage said, “the brave die never, though they sleep in dust: their courage nerves a thousand living men.” This quote encapsulates Ryan and his life as he was very brave in the face of death. In his final days and hours Ryan never wavered in his courageous resolve and he wanted to meet death his way and on his own terms. Earth lost a great fighter on Saturday August 1, 2026, but heaven gained an angelic warrior.
The McLean family would like to thank the Care Partners staff of Julie Johnston, Amanda Rader, Meredith Marier, and Annerieke Van Beets who took wonderful care of Ryan in his final months.
In accordance with their wishes, cremation has taken place through Haskett Funeral Home, Goderich. A Celebration of Life to honour Ryan’s memory will be held on Saturday August 29, 2026, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM upstairs at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 in Goderich.
