Albert Phillip Mclane

Albert Phillip McLane
August 26, 1943 – July 25, 2014


Albert was born in Valdosta, Georgia, where he spent his childhood with his parents, Carson and Philena McLane and his three siblings. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition at the University of Georgia in Athens, switching his main instrument from oboe to cello. He pursued a Master of Music in Conducting – Performance degree in 1967 at Ball State University in Indiana. The opportunity to audition for the US Air Force Band culminated in four years in Wiesbaden, Germany as Band Officer. Albert fondly recalled these years travelling throughout Europe, which included conducting the USAF Band for Prince Charles in Cardiff, Wales; Presidential Arrival Ceremony and Review of the Troops for President Nixon at Mildenhall, England; and sharing the stage with Danny Kaye, Ronald Reagan, and Hubert Humphrey in Denmark. Albert was offered a conducting position in Washington, DC, but instead chose to leave the military in 1972 and move to Seattle. He graduated with a doctorate in conducting at the University of Washington. With the arrival of his sons, Andrew in 1975 and Patrick in 1979, he became a stay-at-home dad and was very involved as a Church Musician in the Diocese of Olympia. He felt drawn to ordained priesthood and commuted from Seattle to Vancouver School of Theology in British Columbia, to explore possibilities in ministry. He achieved his Master of Divinity in 1989 and lived for a time on Bowen Island, BC where he was involved with the Bowen Island Choir and served as president of the Bowen Island Arts Council. Here he learned to weave and, as he felt an affinity to his Scottish and Celtic roots, particularly loved the symmetry of weaving tartan. He furthered his involvement with choral conducting as interim Music Director at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver; founder of the Burnaby Hospital staff choir; director of the Renaissance Singers of Vancouver, and subsequently, of the Gallery Singers for twelve seasons. Albert loved early music – particularly Palestrina, Purcell, Bach and Mozart. He edited large numbers of 16th and early 17th century works from library collections and composed a number of arrangements of traditional songs for the choir. His tenure with the Gallery Singers is where he met the love of his life, Alison Marshall, whom he married on July 9, 1999. They moved to Richmond, BC where his third son, Aidan, was born in 2002. His ordination to the priesthood took place December 7, 2003. His curacy placement was in All Saints, Agassiz and St. Peter's, Rosedale and the family moved to Harrison Hot Springs. After serving as Regional Dean of Yale, he became Honorary Assistant at St. John the Baptist, Sardis. A move to Alison's hometown of Winfield brought him to Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Kelowna and he served as interim priest in the parishes of St. George's, West Kelowna and St. Mary's, East Kelowna. Albert was deeply spiritual and regularly practiced meditative centering prayer. Albert will be lovingly remembered by: his wife and partner of 15 years, Alison; his sons, Andrew, Patrick and Aidan; his siblings Mac (Jane) McLane, Tyson (Mary Sue) McLane, and Millie (Charles) Adams; as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews. Memorial Service to be held at St. Michael's Cathedral, Kelowna BC on Friday, August 8 at 2:00 pm. If desired, donations may be made to St. Michael's Cathedral or the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) in Albert's name.



Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602