John M. Laing, businessman, community activist, and long-time Coronado resident, passed away Friday at his home in San Diego from pancreatic cancer at 61 years of age.

Laing was born and raised in Coronado and graduated Coronado High School in 1960. He attended San Diego State University while playing drums and bass for local bands.

Professionally, Laing served as sales representative for Duringer Chevrolet and later, for 10 years, in the same capacity for Dan McKinney Company Coors Distributor. He purchased the City Liquor House in San Diego and acquired a partnership interest in the Island Sports and Sprits in Coronado before his retirement in 2003.

John continued a rich family tradition of community service, including 18-year membership in the Coronado Active 20-30 Club, where he served as president in 1974-75, volunteered for Boy Scout Troop 801, umpired for Coronado Little League, refereed for local soccer teams, and was a long-time member of the Coronado Police Reserves. Unquestionably, John's greatest passion lay with the Coronado Fourth of July celebration. He began his work with the celebration committee in 1968 as liaison to the Coronado Police Department. He assumed the Fourth of July Parade chairmanship in 1986 and remained in that post until his death.

In 1992, the Coronado Chamber of Commerce honored John Laing with its prestigious Lewis Hardy, Jr. award for outstanding service to the community.

Survivors include his mother, Peggy Laing of Coronado; sister Peggy Beth Collins of Toms River, N.J.; daughter Data Cadrin of Escondido, son James Laing of San Diego, and grandsons Kelin and Cole Laing. His beloved wife, Ila, preceded him in death in 1992.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, Sep. 2 at 11:30 am at Christ Episcopal Church in Coronado. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Coronado 4th of July, P.O. Box 180541, Coronado, CA 92178-0541.
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Some classmates may recall that John's father was the Coronado Dept. Store's Santa for many years and that for even more years his father was one of the main announcers at the annual Fourth of July Parade. Johnny was very tall and good looking with bright blue eyes. For many years I bore a scar on my right foot from a sandbox shovel he wielded in a fight when we were both about 3 years old. It finally faded away when I was about 35. I wish I had it now to remember him by.

Sent in by Linda Madden (Ruchama Burrell)