The McLaren family sadly announces the passing of John McLaren on March 15, 2019 in his 95th year. He was a very special husband, uncle, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Born in Toronto on the 15th of August 1924, the first son of Lillian and Jack McLaren, educated at Forest Hill Schools, he enlisted in 1942 at the age of 18 into the RCAF and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1944. He was then transferred for carrier duty with Royal Navy overseas. At the end of the war, he was discharged and returned to Toronto in late 1945, and soon wed his one love, Marney, who he remained married to for 71 years until his passing. He raised 3 very special sons Scott (Donna), late Blair (Debbie), and Drew (Sheila).
John entered the printing industry, and, as President, started McLaren, Morris & Todd Lithographers. After building the company for 20 years with clients such as Hallmark Cards and General Foods, John and his partner Harry Morris sold the company to Southam. In his later years, he spent much time with family and close friends at his villa on the Caribbean island of Mustique, and would eventually partner with his island colleagues from Caracas, Venezuela to purchase the island and develop it into the exclusive high end resort destination that remains today.
J.D. loved playing drums, big band swing, flying, sailing, fishing, tennis, and scuba diving (doing his 200th registered dive on his 80th birthday), and in his later years wrote and published books and tried to keep up with his beloved family. He will be missed by his sons and their wonderful wives, 6 grand-daughters (Lisa, Sarah, Julie Anne, Laura, Kelly, Katherine), 3 grand-sons (Jonathon, Jake, Hugh), and 10 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank all the dedicated caregivers at the Waterford retirement home, with special thanks to Marie, Trudi, Marge, June, Lorrianne, Ann-Marie, Lorraine, Anne and Amber. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson’s Society are encouraged.
Visitation to be held at Turner & Porter funeral home, 2357 Bloor St W, Toronto on Friday March 22, 2019 from 2pm – 4 pm. A private service for family only will be held at another time.