A ceremony recognizing decades of public service and community leadership took place April 29 inside the Town of Stonewall council chambers, where former mayor Lockie McLean was honoured with the naming of a future street in his name.
A map shows the future location of Lockie McLean Way, which will extend off Fourth Street East into Stonewall’s planned Age in Place campus, where a personal care home is proposed
Family, friends, current council members and staff gathered for the occasion, which reflected McLean’s preference for a modest and personal event.
“Lockie is very low key and very humble,” Mayor Sandra Smith said. “When we asked what he would like, he chose something small and intimate with family and friends.”
Smith opened the ceremony by reflecting on her time serving on council under McLean’s leadership, describing a period of transition that required steady guidance and thoughtful decision-making.
As a first-term councillor at the time, Smith said she and others around the table were still learning the responsibilities of municipal governance, but McLean’s calm and measured approach helped them navigate complex issues.
“He was very patient, very calm, and he led by example,” she said. “One of the things he always reminded us was to speak from the heart.”
Smith also shared several of McLean’s well-known sayings, which became guiding principles during council discussions, including “stay out of the taxpayer’s pocket” and “hard on the issue, soft on the person.”
Those philosophies, she said, were especially important during challenging moments early in their term, including contentious development discussions, negotiations and public concerns brought forward to council.
“He kept us grounded,” she said. “He always focused on doing what was best for the town and its citizens.”
Smith highlighted several accomplishments during McLean’s time in office, including major infrastructure projects, labour negotiations and efforts to resolve longstanding development issues. She said his leadership style helped bring consensus to council, even when opinions differed.
“He was steady — never too high, never too low — and that made a difference,” she said.
Following her remarks, Smith unveiled the name of the new roadway — Lockie McLean Way — and presented the street sign to McLean. The road will eventually be constructed off Fourth Street East, leading into the town’s planned Age in Place campus.
While the street itself has not yet been built, Smith said the location of the naming is significant, as it reflects one of McLean’s lasting contributions to the community.
She noted his role in advocating for a personal care home in Stonewall and working collaboratively with neighbouring municipalities to strengthen a regional application to the province.
“The fact that Lockie was able to bring everyone together and get them to the table speaks volumes about his leadership,” she said.
Following the presentation, McLean addressed those in attendance, choosing to focus not on his time in office, but on his connection to the community and the people who shaped his life.
“I didn’t want to talk about council or politics,” he said. “I just wanted to focus on family and friends.”
McLean spoke about his deep roots in Stonewall, sharing stories of generations of family who lived in the area and helped shape the town’s early history. He reflected on a childhood filled with outdoor adventures, close-knit neighbourhoods and simple moments that left a lasting impression.
“There was no technology — we created our own fun,” he said, recalling time spent exploring the quarry, swimming at Kinsmen Lake and playing games with friends.
Those experiences, he said, helped build a strong sense of community — something that later influenced his decision to enter public service.
McLean first ran for council in the early 1980s and went on to serve approximately 25 years in municipal government, including two decades from 1998 to 2018. Over that time, he participated in hundreds of meetings and worked through a wide range of municipal issues.
“I probably sat in about a thousand meetings in this room,” he said.
While he acknowledged the challenges that came with the role — including difficult negotiations and high-pressure decisions — McLean said his goal was always to do what was best for the community.
“You try to make the right decision for the town,” he said.
He also reflected on the personal sacrifices that come with public service, noting the time commitment and responsibility that extended beyond council meetings. McLean credited his family, particularly his wife Diana, for their support throughout his years in office.
“I would never have done this without you,” he said.
Smith said the naming of Lockie McLean Way ensures his contributions will be recognized for generations to come, particularly as the Age in Place campus continues to develop.
“It’s a lasting legacy,” she said. “It connects his name to something that will serve this community well into the future.”
The ceremony concluded with a cake cutting and an opportunity for attendees to gather, share stories and celebrate McLean’s contributions in a more informal setting.
For McLean, the recognition was both unexpected and meaningful — not just as an acknowledgement of his years in public office, but as a reflection of the community he has long called home.
“I’m very thankful,” he said. “Stonewall has always meant a lot to me.”
