MACLEAR, Michael Patrick - It is with deep sadness, and ongoing love, that we announce the passing of Michael Maclear who died peacefully at home in the late hours of Christmas day December 25, 2018.
Born in London, England, Michael immigrated to Canada by ship in 1954 and joined the fledgling CBC television news service the following year.
As a foreign correspondent for CBC (1961–1971) and the CTV Television Network, he reported from more than 80 countries, covering Fidel Castro’s takeover of Cuba, China’s Cultural Revolution, and the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Michael remained a lifelong supporter of the Toronto Humane Society and his well-known passion for cats, sparked during his early years in foster care, was maintained to the end.In addition to leading an energetic film and television career, Michael was a devoted father who instilled a love of language and storytelling that transcended his late-life struggle with Alzheimer’s and aphasia. He is survived by his daughter, Kyo Maclear; son-in-law, David Wall; wife, Yoko (Mariko) Koide; beloved grandsons, Yoshi and Mika; dear brothers, Andrew and Robin; nephew, James; niece, Sugie; and grandcats, Bella and Buster. He will be forever missed for his gentlemanly ways, fiery intellect, journalistic compassion, dogged sense of craft, love of poker, and iconoclastic sense of humor.
The family wishes to express their enduring gratitude to Michael’s extended care community, including Ruby Lacsamana, Dr. Sidney Radomski, Dr. Marvin Waxman, Louise Bennett, Micah Dizon and the nurses and staff at Hazelton Place, and his friends Elizabeth Klinck, Bob Culbert, Phil Pendry, Bill Cunningham, G. Chalmers Adams and Ivan Dolynskyj.
Interment of ashes will take place with immediate family and a commemorative celebration of Michael’s life will follow later in January 2019.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Médecins Sans Frontières and the Toronto Humane Society would be much appreciated.
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