Al was born at home in a house hand built by his father in Sutherlands River, Nova Scotia, the second of 4 children to Daniel Osborne MacLellan and Florence MacLellan (Kirk).

He carried his shoes to a one-room schoolhouse when he was young, transferring for the last 3 years to a high school in New Glasgow. He began his working life in his father’s lumber camps, doing various jobs before being entrusted to drive logging trucks as a teenager. Following school, he did vocational training in Halifax and worked as a machinist in New Glasgow and on the highways, surveying, but also spreading sand by hand in the depths of winter.

At age 20, Al, along with his brother, Stan, and cousin, Bobby Hanes, built a tarpaper shack at James River on his father’s logging land to live together, all enrolled at St. Francis Xavier University. He continued his studies at University of New Brunswick and graduated in Mechanical Engineering. His engineering work took him to southwest Ontario, Montreal and Toronto for many years before deciding to change course and complete an MBA at Ivey (University of Western Ontario) in 1968. This enabled him to move into banking, working as a Bay Street underwriter for the rest of his career. He took great pride in taking Canadian companies public and had a passion for the markets that lasted until his final days.

Throughout his working career, he enjoyed sailing - either in his little Kolibri boat on Ontario lakes or as skipper or crew on larger boats in the Caribbean. An avid traveller, he and his late wife, Barbara MacLellan, nee Douglass (1937-2016) travelled to over 80 countries, during their 56 years together. And he was always keen to hit the golf course after his early retirement, travelling with friends to play on courses in the U.S. as well. Lately, he spent extended periods of time in the UK visiting close family, becoming a big part of their lives there.

Quiet and unassuming, he was known for his humour and razor sharp wit, his ability to win at cards and his kindness. He always noticed more than he admitted and quietly analysed the world around him, rarely offering his opinions – which were inevitably very insightful when asked. He was someone who always ‘did the right thing’ and was very precise with both his words and his woodworking. Fiercely independent to the end, he loved being at home, sitting on his porch and talking with his neighbours. His was respected and loved by friends and family alike.

His faith was a central part of his life and he served Islington United Church in different capacities over the years: as an elder, an usher, ‘the guy who counts the money’ and a cook for the Mabelle Food Programme.

Al was pre-deceased by his beloved wife and his siblings: George, Stanley and Velma Hamilton. He is remembered by his daughter, Laura Birkinshaw, his son-in-law, Julian, his grandchildren and their partners: Ross and India Wiggins-Page; Duncan and Charlotte Adams; and Lisa Grace Pearson; by his goddaughter, Roberta Belfry; the whole extended family and by his neighbours and friends. The lessons he has passed down through the generations will continue to stand the youngsters in good stead. He will be very missed and fondly remembered.

A celebration of life ceremony will take place at 11 a.m., on Dec 6th at Turner & Porter Butler Chapel, 4933 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Salvation Army or the Mabelle Food Programme at Islington United Church. Al will be interred and reunited with his wife and parents in Heatherdale Cemetery near New Glasgow, Nova Scotia at a private event next summer.