Handyman hero to all- George McLaren lived a full life with his wife Lorraine always at his side. 60575

– Kath Gannaway
GEORGE McLaren spent all his life in Healesville – and he loved it with a passion.
He was born on 25 February 1944, at the Healesville Bush Nursing Hospital.
Along with his brothers, Keith and Roy, and sister Jean, he went to Healesville State School.
It was in those carefree days that he met his future wife, and soulmate, Lorraine Watson.
He grew up doing all the things boys of that time liked to do – fishing and ferreting for rabbits and just loving the freedom of the countryside and the bush.
He attended the Central Classes in Badger Creek Road until it closed, when all the students had to travel to Lilydale for their secondary education.
George couldn’t wait to leave school and when he did, he started a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship with Roy.
They worked together for more than 13 years and the skills and knowledge George learnt set him up for the job he loved, building inspector with the Shire of Healesville.
George and Lorraine started going out during this time and it was obvious they were meant for each other.
They became engaged in 1965, and built their house in the 12 months before they married at the Presbyterian Church in 1966.
George went to work for the shire of Healesville, where he was well-known and well-liked for his genuine approach to helping people and finding solutions to problems.
Lorraine said he would look at plans and make suggestions to make them work.
It was a great time with their two boys, Wayne and Craig.
“The boys were the love of his life,” Lorraine said.
George joined Healesville Apex Club before getting heavily involved in the Healesville Amateur Racing Club where he was president for 13 years.
It was ‘Team McLaren’, with Lorraine by his side as secretary-treasurer. As always, they just enjoyed being and working together.
The boys grew up in Healesville, married and along came six beautiful grandchildren – Jesse, Luke, Brandon, Corey, Trent and Ashleigh.
“His life was complete; he couldn’t do enough for them and he spoilt them rotten,” Lorraine said.
When Healesville and Lillydale shires amalgamated in 1994, Lorraine said the job George loved, sadly, became one he loathed. He retired in 1999.
It was the start of a new era and he and Lorraine travelled Australia, enjoying every minute together.
It also gave him more time to spend in his big, beautiful garden.
In 2000, George took up bowls and it was typical of him that he worked tirelessly for the club, including becoming chairman of the board in 2008. Healesville Bowling Club member Len Clarke says he recruited George into the club – and they became firm and loyal friends.
As a retired painter and decorator, and with George a retired builder, they were a magic combination when it came to anything that needed doing around the club.
He said George’s work ethic, dry sense of humour and generosity, were among many qualities he and others admired.
“He was as solid as a rock, one of the most honest guys I have met and a thorough gentleman who would drop everything to help someone,” he said.
George’s sudden death on 23 December was an enormous shock to his family and friends.
Mr Clarke said the more than 300 people who attended the memorial service on New Year’s Eve was a fitting reflection of his standing in the community and affection so many people had for him.
He leaves a heartbroken family and will be greatly missed.