It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Alton Donald MacLean of Ajax, Ontario on September 18, 2025 at the age of 87. Alton was born on August 25, 1938 at Archibald Settlement, Restigouche County, New Brunswick, the son of Jackson MacLean and Mildred (née Smith).
Alton left home in 1954, at the age of sixteen, and began working in the catalogue department at the T. Eaton Company in Moncton. On September 12, 1961, he married Shirley Curtis at her parents’ home at Strathadam, NB. Their first child, James (‘Jamie’), was born in Moncton 15 months later. In 1972, Alton was transferred by the Eaton Co. to Toronto ON, and he and Shirley settled in Scarborough, where their daughter Patti was born a year later, and their son Jason in the two years following.
After Alton’s employment at Eaton’s ended, he then worked as a salesman for Cencal Sales, an advertising specialty company which he later purchased. Alton operated his business until his retirement.
Alton’s wife Shirley passed away in 2015. Alton then sold their home and moved to Newmarket; and later lived in Ajax with his son Jason for a few years. In declining health, he then moved to the home of his daughter Patti and her husband Kirt Marshall, where he resided until a few days before his passing in hospital on Sept 18, 2025. Alton passed away peacefully with his eldest grandson, Tyler, by his side.
Alton was predeceased by his mother Mildred in 1978; his father Jackson in 1985; by his son Jamie in 2011; by his wife Shirley in 2015; and by his younger sister Ruby (Mrs. Ross Cail, Sarnia) in 2021. He was also predeceased by his brothers-in-law Wesley and Jim Curtis, and sisters-in-law Winona Curtis, Sherrille Randall (née Curtis), Margaret Smith (née Curtis),Verna Cronkhite (née Curtis), and Betty Fitzgerald (née Curtis).
Left to mourn his passing are his son Jamie’s wife Milena MacLean and their daughter Madison; his son Jason MacLean and his children, Caitlyn and Cameron; his daughter Patti and husband Kirt Marshall, and their children, Tyler and Cassandra. He is also survived by his only brother Erle MacLean of Moncton, and by his brothers-in-law Edward Curtis, Arlen Curtis, Frank Fitzgerald and Ross Cail.
Alton was loved and respected for his kindness, integrity and generosity. He will forever be missed.
After Alton’s employment at Eaton’s ended, he then worked as a salesman for Cencal Sales, an advertising specialty company which he later purchased. Alton operated his business until his retirement.
Alton’s wife Shirley passed away in 2015. Alton then sold their home and moved to Newmarket; and later lived in Ajax with his son Jason for a few years. In declining health, he then moved to the home of his daughter Patti and her husband Kirt Marshall, where he resided until a few days before his passing in hospital on Sept 18, 2025. Alton passed away peacefully with his eldest grandson, Tyler, by his side.
Alton was predeceased by his mother Mildred in 1978; his father Jackson in 1985; by his son Jamie in 2011; by his wife Shirley in 2015; and by his younger sister Ruby (Mrs. Ross Cail, Sarnia) in 2021. He was also predeceased by his brothers-in-law Wesley and Jim Curtis, and sisters-in-law Winona Curtis, Sherrille Randall (née Curtis), Margaret Smith (née Curtis),Verna Cronkhite (née Curtis), and Betty Fitzgerald (née Curtis).
Left to mourn his passing are his son Jamie’s wife Milena MacLean and their daughter Madison; his son Jason MacLean and his children, Caitlyn and Cameron; his daughter Patti and husband Kirt Marshall, and their children, Tyler and Cassandra. He is also survived by his only brother Erle MacLean of Moncton, and by his brothers-in-law Edward Curtis, Arlen Curtis, Frank Fitzgerald and Ross Cail.
Alton was loved and respected for his kindness, integrity and generosity. He will forever be missed.
