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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
McLAREN, John Arthur - Passed away in peace.
He was predeceased by his wife and soul mate Marilyn . Though we are truly saddened by his passing we know he is exactly where he wants and needs to be, beside our mother.
John was in many ways the steady foundation of our family. The rock we always had whenever we needed it. While never the one to be in the spotlight, he was always cheering on the rest of the family as we strived to reach our goals.
John was born in Calgary to Arthur McLaren and Susan McLaren (nee Frew) and moved around the country before settling in Ottawa, where he graduated from St. Patrick's High School.
Following school he enlisted into the Navy and served for 6 years.
After his service he worked selling typewriters before working for 3M selling audio and video tape. Which he did from 1963-85. It was actually on one of his sales calls to Ottawa radio station CJOH that he came into contact with station Details secretary Marilyn Watson. The woman who eventually became his wife and the mother to his 3 children Daniel (Charles), Christopher (Renne), and Cynthia.
In the winter of 1971-72 the family moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia and John became Atlantic territorial manager for 3M Canada.
After leaving 3M he briefly stayed in the audio business before he and Marilyn opened the first dance wear store east of Montreal, Centre Stage, which they ran for about a decade.
After Marilyn graduated from Costumes Studies at Dalhousie and started working at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, it was only logical that John would follow. While marilyn was designing costumes John was in charge of keeping and lending out the costumes to theatres and movies that needed military wear. These were jobs they continued to love until they retired after 15 years.
In retirement they found a new common passion in archery. Both excelled and participated in many competitions and each won individual medals.
In addition to his 3 children he is survived by 5 grandchildren; Evan, Emily-Cerys, Nadine, Thea, Jack and one fur baby, Teddy. (Cruickshank's Halifax Funeral Home)
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