Georgina
October 08, 2008 07:40 PM
John Slykhuis
There was never much leisure in the career of John McLean.
The outgoing leisure services director was toasted and gently roasted at his retirement bash in the Kin Community Centre last Friday night.
The evening got under way with a ribbald song written by Dave Woods to the tune of It’s Hard To Be Humble as photographs of his colourful history scrolled past on screen.
The man credited with steering through approvals of the town’s major recreational facilities is “large as life”, his successor Faye Richardson said.
Mr. McLean’s legacy includes the Ice Palace and library complex, the new Sutton arena, the innovative Sutton Multi-Use Centre that includes the leisure pool and St. Bernadette Catholic School, Black River Public School and the Peter Gzowski Library, skateboard park, the Jackson’s Point Harbour, many parks, sports fields, youth centres, Club 55 and numerous programs
“Who else but John would think of housing Catholics and Protestants under one roof,” Mrs. Richardon said to laughter.
He oversaw the development of the leisure services master plan and was a strong supporter of the arts, establishing the Georgina Arts Council.
He worked tirelessly with Lake Simcoe Arts Foundation, the Red Barn Theatre, Jericho Youth Services, the Learning Centre for Georgina, the Georgina Arts Centre and Gallery and many charities and community projects over the years, both as head of leisure services and as a member of council.
He relished his role as the official Town Crier and is an avid angler.
“John taught us to have pride in our jobs, and also to have fun,” Mrs. Richardson said. “It takes a special breed of peole to work in leisure services.”
Mayor Rob Grossi applauded Mr. McLean, noting his “passion for the community” and the many things he did few people knew about.
Once, Mr. Grossi’s daughter’s winter coat caught fire and Mr. McLean, who was closest “put the fire out with his bare hands”, Mr. Grossi said.
“His job was not an easy one, but he never ducked an issue once,” he added.
In his response, Mr. McLean told the audience, which included is family, “This is overwhelming for me ... I’ve had a good life and my life is far from over.”
He promised to keep talking about leisure services, the arts and recreation through letters to the editor.
He reiterated his often stated position that providing recreational and leisure programs and facilities is essential for a healthy and happy community.
“I feel very humble to have been part of that,” he said, adding many people in the hall that night helped make Georgina “A beautiful place to live ... what we are as a community is pretty darned good”.
“I didn’t necessarily want to to stop and step aside now, but I’ll get through,” Mr. McLean, who was forced into early retirement because of health issues, said.
He also paid tribute to Mrs. Richardson, his leisure services staff and co-workers at the civic centre and said the mayor and council and past councils “have been phenomenal to work with ... You’ll never know how much I’ll miss you — I love you all”.