Obituary of James McClelland

McClelland, Matthew “James” – 67 of Clementsvale passed away peacefully December 12, 2016, at home, surrounded by family. Born on May 3, 1949 in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, he was a son of the late William and Rachel (Mawhinney) McClelland. On June 14, 1960, as a boy of 11, he was Born Again by trusting Jesus Christ as his Saviour, thus entering into a personal relationship with Him. He was married on July 2, 1973 to Amy Magee. He was a faithful, caring, and hard-working husband and father. He lived his life showing genuine care for everyone he met. He led by example, often sacrificing his own needs for the needs of others. He had a love for young and old alike, and was able to relate to both with compassion and a wonderful sense of humour. The impact that he left on so many will only be truly known in Heaven. In his early years, James and two brothers began a carpet & furniture business in Northern Ireland. Although he loved business, he was persuaded that God had another work for him to do. In 1981 the family moved to Nova Scotia, settling in Clementsvale, where his full-time passion and work was to share the Gospel (good news) of God’s love and salvation to audiences in Tents, Community Halls, and Gospel Hall Assemblies, primarily in Atlantic Canada. For the past 35 years, he was a member of the assembly meeting in the Clementsvale Gospel Hall. During his recent illness, he often said, “The Lord will never forsake us. He makes no mistakes.” He is survived by his loving wife, Amy (Magee); siblings Robert (Kathleen), Rachel (Samuel) Ussher, David (Jean), William (Betty), and Elizabeth (Robert) Buchanan. He will be deeply missed by his children David (Pamela) of Deep Brook, Jonathan (Katherine) of Deep Brook, Ruth (Eddie) Wong of New Westminster, BC, Trevor (Sarah) of Sussex, NB, Esther (Matthew) Cain of Halifax, Emily of Halifax, as well as his 18 grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 16 in the Clementsvale Gospel Hall from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:30 pm. The funeral service will be held in the Champlain Hall, Cornwallis Park, on Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 pm. Burial will be in the Clementsvale Cemetery with a reception to follow in the Clementsvale Gospel Hall. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Kaulbach Family Funeral Home, Annapolis Royal. The funeral will be live streamed at www.livestream.com/mcclelland In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Annapolis County Palliative Care or Annapolis County VON. On line condolences may be sent to:www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com In peace let me resign my breath, And thy salvation see, My SINS deserve eternal death, But JESUS DIED FOR ME.