Thursday, March 28, 2024

MODG mourns the loss of District 7 Councillor Rickey McLaren

  • December 1 2021
  • By Lois Ann Dort    

GUYSBOROUGH – “He has always been part of this community and the rock we all lean on,” Mary Rhynold, former post mistress and local business owner in Country Harbour told The Journal, when she spoke of Rickey McLaren shortly after notice of his passing last week.

McLaren, who had served as councillor for District 7 – Goldboro, Isaac’s Harbour, Country Harbour – in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) for 10 years, had been ill for some time, said Rhynold. But that did not stop him from representing his constituents. This fall, he attended council meetings via Zoom, continuing to bring matters of concern in his district to the table.

“He’s a very fine man; a very big part of our lives and our community. He’s done wonderful things for everybody that he can. There’s nothing but good to say,” Rhynold commented, when asked about McLaren’s role in the communities he represented on council and worked in throughout his life.

The MODG issued the following statement on Nov. 29: “It is with profound sadness that the family of Rickey McLaren announced his passing on November 26. Councillor McLaren began his tenure on Guysborough Municipal Council in 2012, representing the residents of District 7. He was very passionate about his role as Councillor and always wanted the best for all residents of MODG.”

MODG Warden Vernon Pitts spoke to The Journal on Monday about McLaren, as a friend and colleague at the council table.

“First and foremost, he was a very honourable gentleman; he was a great listener, he was very respectful of others and their discussions as well as in their opinions. He had a good solid head on his shoulders, lots of common sense and had the ability to look at MODG as a whole not just as individual districts,” said Pitts.

McLaren put his family first – his wife Moira, four sons and grandchildren – said Pitts, adding that after family, council was first and foremost. An example Pitts points to is the development of the Country Harbour marina, a project that a local community group tried to get off the ground for five or six years but had difficulty moving forward due to provincial and federal bureaucracy.

McLaren advocated for the marina, resulting in the MODG taking over the project, which is nearing completion. “In essence,” said Pitts, “It [the marina] was actually carried over the finish line by Councillor McLaren.”

Pitts said McLaren was also a friend to all on council and MODG staff, “He got along with everyone.”

Speaking of his relationship with McLaren, Pitts said, “Rick and I had a habit of sharing a small bottle of Pepsi every meeting … even when I’d go over to Rickey’s on a professional matter, or even a personal matter, I always picked up a bottle of Pepsi and we’d sit at the kitchen table and talk about anything under the sun. He was a great all-around guy, fantastic storyteller.”

McLaren sat on the Guysborough County Adult Learning Association (GALA) board and reported back to council on the organization’s programs and services.

“He took a hands-on approach to that organization. He kept council very well-informed as to what was going on,” said Pitts.

It was known throughout council that McLaren was ill, and Pitts said, “I had actually suggested back a number of months ago, perhaps a leave of absence. He wasn’t open to that at the time. He was hands-on … the last couple of meetings he would call in, Zoom in; his heart was really in it.”

Prior to taking on the role of councillor, McLaren ran McLaren Pulpwood Contracting Ltd. Pitts noted that throughout the years, McLaren had employed approximately 100 people through his business, including former MODG Warden Hudson Macleod and former MODG councillor Bradley Macleod.

Pitts concluded his thoughts on the loss of McLaren by stating, “Our hearts and sympathies go out to his wife Moira and family.”