Jack MacLaren: Aug. 30, 1924 – Nov. 19, 2024. (Zohr Funeral Home photo)
Renfrew’s Jack MacLaren, who operated MacLaren’s Apple Orchard for many years, has died at the age of 101.
John “Jack” MacLaren also owned and operated MacLaren Fuels by Texico Canada Limited on Lisgar Avenue West in Renfrew for 27 years.
According to his obituary, in 1968, Jack and Audrey, his wife of 70 years, took over MacLaren Orchard’s on Burnstown Road as third generation farmers and “proudly served the Ottawa Valley farm-fresh apples until their retirement in 2016.”
Today, Debbie Shepherd and Fred Hansma continue the tradition of nurturing some of the best apples in the Ottawa Valley in the orchard, which consists of more than 4,000 trees and still bears the MacLaren name.
Visitation and services for Jack were held on Nov. 21 and 22.
“In memory of Jack, please consider a donation to Hospice Renfrew,” reads his obituary.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)