We regret to advise of the death of Harold “Clem” McClemens at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus on Friday, 15 October 2021, at the age of 82. Clem served 43 years with Mapping and Charting Establishment.
Clem was born in Sarnia ON and moved to Ottawa in 1965. Before moving to Ottawa he started his military life as an army cadet in the mid 1950s. He was awarded a flying scholarship through the Army Cadets in 1957 and obtained his private flying license. Clem joined the Royal Canadian Engineers with the Reserves in 1957 and attained the rank of Sergeant. He transferred to the Regular Force as a Sapper in 1963. Clem completed his Basic Field Engineer training at Camp Chilliwack BC before being posted to 3 Field Squadron at Camp Gagetown NB. Clem soon remustered to the Survey trade and joined the Army Survey Establishment in 1965 as a Cartographic Draftsman. In 1970, he transitioned to a civilian position and had a long career with the Department of National Defence in the Mapping and Charting Establishment as a cartographer.
At his retirement in February 2006, Clem was presented with a CME Branch Commendation certificate in recognition of his outstanding and commitment after 43-years of service in the military mapping community and a 50-years association with the Royal Canadian Engineers/Canadian Military Engineers.
Clem was a resident of the Carlington community for 50 years. He was a founding member of the Friends of Maplelawn Garden volunteers and worked at the garden for 25 years. He was a volunteer for the Carlington Summit community newspaper from the first edition to the last edition. Clem filled many positions on the paper but was best known for his column “Clem’s Corner.” He volunteered with the Family Movie Club for many years and was an active member of St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa for over 40 years. In retirement, Clem developed an interest in his family history and took up genealogy research, joining several of the genealogy societies in Ottawa.
Friends and family are invited to visit at the West Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry (150 Woodroffe Avenue at Richmond Road) on Friday, 22 October from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.; on Saturday, 23 October from 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. and then from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Following Covid protocol, attendance will be limited to registered guests. To RSVP, please use the appropriate tabs at the bottom of Clem's obituary page on the funeral home website. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel on Saturday, 23 October at 3:00 p.m. As limited spaces are available, those who wish to attend must RSVP on the funeral home webpage. Clem's Service will also be Livestreamed for those who wish to participate virtually and can do so by accessing the link: Harold "Clem" McClemens Service LiveStream.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church in Ottawa or Parkinson Canada. OnLine condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
