Obituary of Joseph G. McLean

Joseph G. McLean, best known as Joe, passed away on August 12, 2022 at Jefferson Bucks at the age of 94.

Born in the lower Frankford section of Philadelphia on March 4, 1928, Joe went to school first to St Joachim’s, then to North Catholic High – neither in existence today, after 2 years in the Navy, he went to LaSalle College and graduated in 1952.  

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Catherine; three daughters Suzanne Smith (Joe), Marianne and Laura Rech, plus two grandsons Nicholas and Mathew.  A nephew, Daniel Bender also survives.  He was predeceased by his parents George and Marie (Kellan) McLean and his sister Maria G. Bender.

After LaSalle, where Joe majored in English and worked on LaSalle's school paper, Joe got a job as a reporter with United Press International.  After 5 years there he joined the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, doing publicity and public relations work.  In 1960, he was hired by Fairchild Publications as a local correspondent for its Electronic New trade publication.  For financial and other reasons he returned to the Chamber of Commerce until financial and other reasons brought him back to  Fairchild Publications, this time in its New York City headquarters office.  He remained there as the Managing Editor of Electronic News until his retirement in 1992.  

Joe found out in his 30’s that he could sing. Having grown up in the 30s and 40s when popular male singers were mostly baritones. Joe couldn't sing along.  He didn’t realize he was a tenor until he fell in love with Opera, picked up some Italian, and began singing along on tenor recordings.  He eventually joined the church choirs in the parishes where he and his family then resided, as well as various vocal ensembles devoted to classic choral works, including Pennsbury Community Chorus, Princeton Pro Música, and Delaware Valley Choral Society.  He also participated in local community theater productions at the Open Air Theater.  Joe was also an avid runner and was well known at the local YMCA  into his nineties.

After his retirement he was actively involved in many charitable endeavors, including Interfaith Housing  Development, Meals on Wheels, and the monthly food drive at St John the Evangelist.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated at St John the Evangelist Church, 752 Big Oak Road, Morrisville, PA Thursday August 18 at 10:30am, with visiting hours starting at 9:30am.