Longtime CHCH anchor Dan McLean dies at 78

Dan McLean, a legendary broadcaster who spent more than 30 years as the face of CHCH News, has died. He was 78.

McLean’s family confirmed to CHCH News that the former senior anchor passed away after a career that made him a staple in living rooms across the region.

A mentor for a long list of local journalists who walked through the doors at CHCH, McLean was remembered by colleagues as a champion of the community.

His voice was described as legendary, his style impeccable and his career, unforgettable.

For many who grew up in the area, he was at the centre of family gatherings as viewers tuned in for his midday conversations and nightly news updates.

While McLean connected with CHCH audiences for 37 years, his broadcasting career began much earlier.

His first job, a part-time radio position in Welland, came to him when he was just 15 years old. From there, he gained experience in other areas of Ontario, including Barrie and Kitchener, before being hired at CHCH.

McLean spoke about those early days during the station’s special 70th-anniversary coverage.

During his tenure at the station, he led midday talks and anchored the news, gaining a reputation for his dedication to the community.

He was one of the leaders of the CHCH team that helped raise millions of dollars for the McMaster Children’s Hospital and many other charities.

His contributions were recognized with several prestigious honours, including an RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

In 2001, he was named Hamilton’s Citizen of the Year, a moment he reflected on during an interview a few years later.

Dan McLean’s final broadcast with CHCH was in December 2008. With heavy hearts, we remember Dan McLean: 1947–2026.

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