We are devastated to share the news that our beloved partner, father, son and friend, Andrew (Drew) McLean died suddenly on November 8, 2021.
Drew is survived by his loving spouse, Dione Bruno. Together for almost 20 years, they raised their wonderful children and have more beautiful memories together than many would in twice as many years. Drew is also survived by his beloved four children: Jessica, Michael Bruno (Amanda), Brandon Bruno and Cassia McLean, grand-sons Ryley and Kohen Connolly, his devoted parents, Edith and Barry McLeod, Joan Thorniley and his brothers, Brian McLean, James McLeod (Twyla) and Scott Thorniley. He is also survived by his uncles Alex (Lorraine), Arnie (Sharon), Eric (Cathy) and Jim (Julie) Armstrong, aunt Carol McLean, God-Parents John and Chris Roberts and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Drew was predeceased by his father, Kenneth McLean, his father-in-law Stewart Thorniley and his uncles John and Richard McLean, grandparents, John and Jessica McLean and Arnie and Joyce Armstrong.
As many knew, Drew had friends that were his “family of choice” as well. Dan ‘Dano’ Robertson (Austin), Nicole Rodgers and Trevor Highland (Grey and Callie), Nathan ‘Newf’ Bullen and Melanie Sangster (Thomas), ‘Old Man’ Dan and Nicky Jonsson (Trevor, Allie, Tanner and Brianna) and Keith and Melissa Campbell are bereft at this great loss.
The list is endless because there are so many he considered family of choice.
Drew was born and raised in Kamloops and graduated from Kam Hi in 1990. From a young age, Drew’s love of family, music, movies and sports was clear to all who knew him; his life was always true to those passions. Never daunted by not being able to do something, Drew tried it all: soccer, bowling, street hockey, karate and baseball. His mom was an early baseball coach of his, which perhaps instilled in him his lifelong love of playing slo-pitch. Eventually, when unable to play, he took his rightful place on 3rd base. Drew also attended Sunnybrae for many years and as a cadet. Drew took the accounting program, at what was then Cariboo College, and tried out different professions before being trained as a barber by his stepfather in 2001 which led to him buying Fortune Barbershop, which he owned and managed for many years.
When Drew set his mind to something, there was nothing that was going to stop him. This is how Kammerce Promotions was born. His love of music was where it started and he spent countless hours growing his dream. Drew had a lasting and immeasurable impact on the arts community in Kamloops, from booking talent through Kammerce Promotions and MPRO4, bringing musical acts to smaller and larger venues. He put Kamloops on the map as a standup comedy destination, beginning with the Fresh is Best Comedy nights and culminating with Kamloops Comedy Fest. Seeing the arts community flourish was one of his biggest goals. His dream was to have a stage to bring arts to the people, be it music, comedy or something else, which led to his latest adventure The Effie Arts Collection. Every entertainer he worked with he treated with respect and honor, whether they were seasoned or just starting out. Countless testimonials from performers can be seen on his Facebook wall.
Family was number one with Drew, with music/sports and movies all vying for 2nd place. Many knew Drew through the sporting community where he had many roles; from working as an off-ice official for the Kamloops Blazers in his younger years to running the Westsyde Funleagers Slo-Pitch league with Nicole and working tirelessly to see Tournament Capital Ranch be the destination it is for world class softball. Some of his proudest roles were as the coach of his Mayhem/Men’s/Alpha teams and running the Freddie’s Tournament in honor of the late Fred Nicolson for KidSport.
Drew’s love for his family was well known and will never be forgotten. Family trips to Disneyland, Los Cabos and special canoe trips to Myrtle Lake were highlights and no place was more special to him than being with them all. His family has lost their biggest supporter and source of strength and they will forever be grateful for having him in their lives.
Drew is mortified that all this attention is being paid to him. He doesn’t know if this somehow means he will be eating first at dinner (gasp!) and please, stop pointing!
A small, family only service will be held on December 5, 2021.
A large, all-are-welcome celebration will be held at Dick Hart Park in Heffley Creek on December 11, 2021 at 1 p.m. Any updates will be posted on the Facebook Invitation page Celebration of Life for Drew McLean.
A go fund me account has been set up for Drew’s family, with anything not required to offset his final expenses going towards a scholarship, something he would love to leave as a legacy as education was very important to him.
Offer Condolence for the family of Andrew (Drew) McLean 1972 – 2021
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Andrew Drew McLean 1972 –..
Death notice for the town of: Kamloops, Province: Colombie britanique