Nairn Melbourne McQueen passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on July 29, 2022 at the age of 72 in Burlington, Ontario. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Cheryl, of 46 years, he was a proud father to Mark (Jodi), David (Andrea), and loving Poppa/Grandpa to Matthew, Evan, Ethan, and Blake. He will be sorely missed, and was taken from us far too early.
He grew up in Dundas, Ontario and attended both Royal Military College at Kingston and McMaster University, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) degree and later earning his coveted P.Eng designation. Nairn’s career spanned 40 years in major capital projects in Canada, USA, Japan, India and the middle east. From a young engineer at Dofasco Inc. in Hamilton to Canada Packers in Toronto, in Saskatchewan with Prince Albert Pulp Company, to progressive executive roles with Cambrian Engineering (Agra Monenco) and Ontario Hydro Services Company, his love for the profession was evident every day. His proudest moment as an engineer was presenting his son, Mark, with an iron ring upon graduation from Queen’s University in Chemical Engineering.
Retiring as the Senior Vice President, Engineering and Construction at Hydro One, where he made many life-long friends. These friendships were evident in his final days with many colleagues taking time to travel long distances to say their final goodbye and recalling stories with laughter and tears.
Nairn was a proud member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario and Saskatchewan, a Past President of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Saskatchewan, Past Director of the Canadian Council of Engineers, Director of the Electrical Power Systems Contractors Association, and a fellow of both Engineers Canada (FEC) and the Canadian Academy of Engineering (FCAE).
Following in his father’s footsteps (Colonel M.V. McQueen, OBE, ED, CD), Nairn dutifully served the Canadian Armed Forces in both the Army and Navy reserve branches for over 24 years, obtaining his CD+1 Bar. Retiring as a Lieutenant Commander (Navy), he was passionate about encouraging youth to serve Canada and developing future leaders.
In his spare time, Nairn enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, tinkering with his outdoor model railroad, researching family history, and writing. He cherished travelling across the world with Cheryl, seeing over 60 countries together, as their shared passion. They will now be at peace together where the winds are calm and the sun shining.
Our family is very grateful to the caring doctors, nurses and staff at Joseph Brant Hospital and the Village at Tansley Woods in Burlington for their compassionate care in his final days. A Celebration of Life will be held on August 18, 2022 at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St, Dundas Ontario, from 10am – 12pm, followed by a private Catholic mass and burial on August 19, 2022. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations to Parkinson Canada www.parkinson.ca would be appreciated. Please sign Nairns’ online Book of Condolence at www.turnerfamilyfuneralhome.ca
“Fair winds and following seas, Nairn. God be with you.”
We are saddened to hear of the loss of Nairn. He, and Cheryl, were wonderful neighbours. Nairn was so kind to our daughter, showing her his trains, and patiently explaining every detail to her. Nairn helped my hubby Chris solve many a mechanical problem over the years. His soft spoken kindness will not be forgotten. We miss having Nairn and Cheryl as neighbours. It is a comfort to know they will be together again. Heartfelt condolences to your family.❤️
We were sorry to hear of Nairn’s recent passing. We will always remember their July 1st gatherings and his proud displaying of his most recent changes to his backyard railroad. They will both be greatly missed. May they now be free to travel anywhere they wish, together and at peace.
Our condolences to the family.🙏
We were sad to hear of Nairn’s passing…too young. We will always remember him and Cheryl hosting July 1st celebrations …lots of fun, good food ,the Canada cake!.and Nairn proudly showing his backyard railroad and any recent changes made! We will miss both of you.
They are together now planning many more cruises to far off places, with no pain and in peace.
Our deepest condolences to all of you.
Richard&Linda Tupholme
It is hard to say “goodbye” to Nairn. Perhaps “until we meet again” is more appropriate. Fifty years went by so quickly my friend. Mess dinners, exercises at Pet, Borden and Medford are good memories to be cherished forever. The lunches at the Sunset Grill we had right up until June this year. I remember the many Christmas parties and Canada Days with you and Cheryl. You were the best of friends to us all.
There is a time for remembering friends as you grow old. You two will be there in my thoughts ever.
My condolences to the McQueen Family. I had the pleasure of meeting Nairn through business and military associations and I quickly came to respect and admire him for the great man that he was. I will miss hoisting a pint (or two) sometimes over a meal at the Duke after work before Nairn made the trek West and I North. I always enjoyed our discussions and his insights and opinions.
Thanks for your Service Nairn and ‘Lest we Forget’.
Although I did not know Nairn long, here at Tansley Woods, he was a terrific mentor to me as Chair of the Resident Council in his position as Past Chair. He was a great man with a mind that held a amazing amount of knowledge on many topics. I shall miss his “wordsmithing” and friendship!! My condolences to the Family.
My deepest sympathy to the McQueen family.
Although I haven’t seen Mr McQueen in ages, I recall him being a kind, soft-spoken, extremely intelligent man who always put his family first.
My condolences to Mark, Dave and family & friends on the passing of their loved one.
We are so sad to hear that Nairn has been called home early. He was a great guy who dedicated himself to family and work. Nairn played an important role at Hydro One in strengthening the Ontario transmission and distribution grids. Without his leadership, Ontario would not be ready for the transformation taking place in the electricity sector and we are grateful for his many contributions. We enjoyed a special relationship with Nairn through the sharing of his Dad’s Sicily papers. We took on the project of helping Nairn with the translation of documents his Dad found in Sicily during his time there while in service. Nairn was a special person and above all, treasured his family. We know what a loss this is for Mark, Dave and their families but you can rest assured that Nairn and Cheryl have created wonderful memories that will be with their children and grandchildren always.
My sincere condolences to Nairn’s family and friends.
My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends at this sad time.
I knew Nairn for many years during my career at Hydro One, through various positions. I was very sorry to hear of his passing. Deepest condolences to his family over the loss of such a complex and talented man, gone too soon.
I am saddened to learn of Nairn’s passing.
I had the pleasure of working with Nairn at Agra Monenco. He was always a gentleman, down-to-earth, honest and kind.
Our paths crossed again a few years later at Hydro One. Although Nairn had risen in rank, he always remained the same “down-to-earth”, and kind.
My condolences to his family.
I am saddened to hear the passing of my respectful colleague, mentor and boss Nairn during our Agra-Monenco years in Oakville, Ont. It was a unique opportunity in my professional career to have the honour to meet and work with Nairn. His presence always displayed respect, inspiration and kindness. My deepest condolences to his family.
Good friend – gone too soon!
I am saddened to hear of Nairn’s passing.
My deepest sympathy to the McQueen family and friends.
Condolences to Nairn’s family and friends.
An excellent close friend, confident, boss and client over a 40 year span in Saskatchewan and Ontario. It takes someone special to excel in all those roles! I will be forever grateful and have so many cherished memories of our many hours spent together. Wishing you fair winds my friend. Deepest sympathy to the McQueen family
I had the pleasure of knowing Nairn during his time at Hydro One.He was a true professional.I was sorry to see him having to take early retirement and am sorry to learn of his passing.My condolences to his family.
Condolences to Nairns Family and friends.
So sad to hear that Nairn passed away. He was a wealth of knowledge, a great engineer and a natural leader. I had the pleasure to work with him for many years. My deepest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Nairn, you were always the quiet one in the background as Cheryl regaled us with her stories; you were the one who entertained the kids with Thomas and friends at your Canada Day parties, while Cheryl entertained guests at the table. Then, three years ago today, Cheryl left us. It was a sad day. I think of her so often.
Then, John and I got to know you better through our visits at your home and Tansley Woods. John was so impressed with YOUR stories of YOUR travels! I sat in the background and listened as you talked about your projects around the world and you both enjoyed discussing historical events. You could solve the world’s problems!
We both learned a lot about the man you are. John developed a deep respect and admiration for you.
Then, John left me two years ago and I got to know another side of you, the softer side of Nairn. The Hallmark movies, the healthy appetite for Nancy’s steaks, and the love, pride and passion for your grandchildren. You wrote your autobiography which is a legacy that you are leaving for your children.
Your friends and co-workers expressed their love and devotion to you. No man could ask for more. You were truly blessed in Life.
You and Cheryl will guide your children from above and they will forever honour you both because you gave them the foundation to be the best they can be. You will be missed.
May the angels lead you to your soul-mate, Cheryl, and both of you now rest in peace.
I had the pleasure of working with Nairn at Agra and later at Hydro One. He was a great guy, an intelligent and compassionate leader. My condolences to Nairn’s family and friends.
Nairn, you have been my functional superior for at least 35 years, from the days at Monenco- Agra to HONI and has consistently demonstrated excellent leadership, drive, guidance and knowledge. Gone too soon after retirement. You have raised/cultured Mark & David that are quite capable of carrying on in your likeness and values.
Sad to see you go , our condolences to the Mc Queen family and friends.
I worked with Nairn at Monenco-Agra in the 1990s and early 2000s and he was a gentleman and knowledgeable professional and always a pleasure to work with. I was so sad to read of his passing in the Globe and Mail last Saturday at far too young an age. I also used to attend the Marine Club Dinner at the Royal York in January of most years and I remember seeing him there proudly wearing his Canadian Armed Forces Reserve uniform. My sincere condolences to Nairn’s family and friends.
Sorry to here the sad news. Please accept our condolences and that of the Hamilton Service Battalion Association.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Nairn’s family in this time of sadness. Please accept our deepest condolences from everyone at HMCS STAR, the Naval Reserve Division in Hamilton.
God help Nairn on his journey to being united with Cheryl. Together may they be blessed.
Our sincere condolences.
Our deepest condolences go out the the McQueen family during this time of great loss. Nairn was a consummate professional who would always take time away from his hectic schedule to share a pint and a story or two; for that, I will always be grateful. Rest in Peace Nairn.
So sorry to hear of Nairn’s passing. I worked with Nairn at Hydro One for many years. He was soft spoken, highly respected and a mentor to many. Sincere condolences to the McQueen family. May he rest in peace.
Mark and Dave,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father, a true gentle Man.
We always thought highly of your Mom and Dad.
Our deepest condolences to you and your family and friends.
Carol Kerigan and Family