Obituary of John William MacLean

MacLean John William “Billy”, St. Peters It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Billy MacLean of St. Peters, which occurred at his residence in the Richmond Villa, St. Peters on August 9, 2025. Born August 4, 1956 in Glace Bay. At a young age, Billy moved to Martinique, where he was fostered by Paul and Gertrude DeYoung, and their children Malcolm, Elgin, Murdoch, and Pauline DeYoung. Billy was a music lover, and you could always find him with his Walkman and headphones on, in fact he never left the house without them, and with out even asking him what he was listening to, you could almost guarantee it was Stomping Tom Connors, as he was Billy’s idol. Wherever there was music, you would always find Billy sitting in the front row, and when given the mic, he loved to sing along with you. He could often be found hanging around the mall, always chatting away to everyone. Soon people started calling him “The Mayor of Port Hawkesbury”, as he also seemed to know all of the gossip. Billy also loved the water, and going for drives to see the ocean. He lived with his foster family up until they passed away. He then moved in with his foster brother Elgin and his family. Bill lived there for many years before deciding to move back to Glace Bay, where he lived up until 2023, when he then moved to St. Peters and was a resident at the Richmond Villa. He quietly made lots of new friends, and the staff just loved him. It didn’t take long for him to then become “The Mayor of the Villa! He loved to tell stories from his younger years, and had a memory like no other. He looked forward to family visiting, especially Sandra “his favorite niece”, and his “favorite grand-niece “, Paige. Billy leaves behind his foster sister, Pauline (Lester Shannon), Martinique; foster brothers, Art Brown, Louisdale, and Joe Brow, Halifax; many nieces, and nephews, and also long-time friends. Besides his foster parents, Paul, and Gertrude DeYoung; his foster brothers, Malcolm, Elgin, and Murdock DeYoung; foster sister-in-law Jean DeYoung foster nephew. Danny DeYoung. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, West Arichat on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 11 am with Rev. Dwaine Devereaux officiating. Memorial donations can be made to the Isle Madame Small Options Society, or to the Hearts of Isle Madame “Activity Funds”. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd., Arichat. Tributes, or words of comfort and memories of Billy may be shared wit the family at www.chboudreau.com