John left us with great memories of our sporting events at BHS, I can see him on the basketball court where he excelled. John was an integral part of our childhood for those who grew up in the South Hills (Lyons/Patterson/Christy/Muntz Avenues) We called ourselves the SHAC (South Hills Athletic Club).
John R. McLaren, 64, of Girard, Erie County, died Saturday at UPMC Hamot hospital following a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis.
He was born in Butler, a son of Louise Sinz McLaren of Clifton Park, N.Y., and the late Fred McLaren.
Raised and educated in Butler, John graduated from Butler High School in 1964, where he was an athlete who excelled in basketball.
John then attended Slippery Rock State College, now Slippery Rock University, and he played point guard for the Rockets. While earning a bachelor's degree in health and physical education, John served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He later received his master's degree in education.
John faithfully taught from 1970 to 1999 in the Girard School District, where he instructed students in health and physical education. He shared his gifts as a coach in Girard, leading teams in football and baseball. On the basketball court, Coach McLaren's childhood passion became the pinnacle of his coaching career. He led boys teams to multiple championships and began the Girard girls basketball program, a program that also enjoyed much success.
An avid outdoorsman, John enjoyed time on Lake Erie with family and friends.
He was a patriotic American who took great pride in serving and loving his country.
His greatest source of inspiration came from his devoted wife, his adoring twin daughters and his five beautiful grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Betty Jo "BJ" Reed McLaren, who he married Sept. 3, 1966, in Butler; his twin daughters, Kristen McLaren Treu and her husband, Steve, of Cranberry Township and Kelly McLaren-Olin and her husband, Joshua Olin, of Medina, Ohio; and five grandchildren, Austin, Veridy and Aidan Treu and Cameron and Bailey Olin; as well as Louise McLaren, John's beloved mother.
John's other surviving loved ones include a sister, Nancy Morse and her husband, Frank, of Florida; three brothers, Ron McLaren and his wife, Patty, of New York, Fred McLaren and his wife, Dawn, of California, David McLaren and his wife, Jeanette, of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
John also was fond of and grateful for his many caregivers who became extended family to him.
MCLAREN - Friends of John R. McLaren, who died Saturday, June 12, 2011, may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Daniel R. Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East, Girard. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Anthony Alleruzzo officiating.
Thank you, Jack, for this memorial. I was hoping someone would add it. How rewarding his life was to so many young people as he no doubt taught them about how to be successful in life as well as on the court. I was saddened to see his name in the memorial list. He attended the 45th reunion. Do you know in what year he died? Thanks again. Milann
I knew John from the old South Side days with the blue streaks, into junior high school, played bb ball with him, and knew him all through high school.John was a gentleman and totally a real solid person.Always had a smile and hello truley one of the good guys.
Karen Abes (Bergman)
John left us with great memories of our sporting events at BHS, I can see him on the basketball court where he excelled. John was an integral part of our childhood for those who grew up in the South Hills (Lyons/Patterson/Christy/Muntz Avenues) We called ourselves the SHAC (South Hills Athletic Club).
Jack L. "Cicco"
John R. McLaren, 64, of Girard, Erie County, died Saturday at UPMC Hamot hospital following a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis.
He was born in Butler, a son of Louise Sinz McLaren of Clifton Park, N.Y., and the late Fred McLaren.
Raised and educated in Butler, John graduated from Butler High School in 1964, where he was an athlete who excelled in basketball.
John then attended Slippery Rock State College, now Slippery Rock University, and he played point guard for the Rockets. While earning a bachelor's degree in health and physical education, John served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He later received his master's degree in education.
John faithfully taught from 1970 to 1999 in the Girard School District, where he instructed students in health and physical education. He shared his gifts as a coach in Girard, leading teams in football and baseball. On the basketball court, Coach McLaren's childhood passion became the pinnacle of his coaching career. He led boys teams to multiple championships and began the Girard girls basketball program, a program that also enjoyed much success.
An avid outdoorsman, John enjoyed time on Lake Erie with family and friends.
He was a patriotic American who took great pride in serving and loving his country.
His greatest source of inspiration came from his devoted wife, his adoring twin daughters and his five beautiful grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by his loving wife and high school sweetheart, Betty Jo "BJ" Reed McLaren, who he married Sept. 3, 1966, in Butler; his twin daughters, Kristen McLaren Treu and her husband, Steve, of Cranberry Township and Kelly McLaren-Olin and her husband, Joshua Olin, of Medina, Ohio; and five grandchildren, Austin, Veridy and Aidan Treu and Cameron and Bailey Olin; as well as Louise McLaren, John's beloved mother.
John's other surviving loved ones include a sister, Nancy Morse and her husband, Frank, of Florida; three brothers, Ron McLaren and his wife, Patty, of New York, Fred McLaren and his wife, Dawn, of California, David McLaren and his wife, Jeanette, of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
John also was fond of and grateful for his many caregivers who became extended family to him.
MCLAREN - Friends of John R. McLaren, who died Saturday, June 12, 2011, may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Daniel R. Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East, Girard. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Anthony Alleruzzo officiating.
Milann Ruff (Daugherty)
Thank you, Jack, for this memorial. I was hoping someone would add it. How rewarding his life was to so many young people as he no doubt taught them about how to be successful in life as well as on the court. I was saddened to see his name in the memorial list. He attended the 45th reunion. Do you know in what year he died? Thanks again. Milann
Gary W. Poole
I knew John from the old South Side days with the blue streaks, into junior high school, played bb ball with him, and knew him all through high school.John was a gentleman and totally a real solid person.Always had a smile and hello truley one of the good guys.