Dan McLean (journalist)|Dan McLean

Dan “Digger” McLean, beloved news anchor, longtime friend, and father of two, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, at the age of 78. Born on New Year’s Day in 1948, Dan grew up in a small town in Ontario, where he learned the value of hard work and the importance of a good story. From a young age he could be found with a notebook in hand, scribbling down the day’s events, always curious about what made people tick. When he joined CHCH-TV in the 1970s, his warm smile and steady hand became a fixture on the evening news, and his colleagues often joked that he could read the room better than any camera angle. Dan’s career was a passion that impressed and inspired everyone who met him. He was a storyteller at heart, but he never let that drive him to become a celebrity. Instead, he used his platform to give a voice to the underrepresented and to shine a light on community stories that mattered. He was a mentor to dozens of young reporters, always patient, always encouraging. Beyond the newsroom, Dan found joy in simple pleasures: fishing on the lake, a good book, and the thrill of a late‑night game of chess with his wife, Maria. He loved nothing more than watching the sunrise over the water, a ritual he carried with him into the newsroom, grounding him amid the whirlwind of deadlines. Family was Dan’s north star. He married Maria in 1972, and together they raised two children, Ethan and Sarah, who often joined him at home after a long day. He was a fiercely protective father and a doting grandfather. Even during the toughest moments in his career, Dan made time for family dinners, Sunday hikes, and spontaneous road trips to the coast. His home was always open, and his laughter echoed through the halls like a familiar song. Maria remembers him as “the man who could turn any ordinary moment into a memorable adventure,” and her eyes sparkle when she talks about their shared love of music and their countless karaoke nights. Dan’s impact extended far beyond the newsroom. He was a pillar in his community, volunteering at the local food bank, coaching youth soccer, and lending his voice to charity telethons. He believed that the power of the press lay in its responsibility to uplift others, and that belief guided his reporting and his life. He taught us that kindness is a headline worth writing, that integrity is a story worth telling, and that a life well-lived is one lived with purpose, love, and a bit of humor. He will be remembered as a friend, a mentor, a loving husband and father, and a journalist whose legacy will continue to inspire generations. Rest in peace, Dan. Your stories will echo in our hearts forever.