The Rev. Canon George McLaren, retired rector of St. Gregory's Church, Long Beach, CA, died April 21 following a brief illness. He was 63.

Canon McLaren was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Divinity School. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1963 and became priest-in-charge of St. Philip's, Conneaut, OH, serving until 1968. He then became rector of St. Peter's, Butler, PA, remaining there until 1980, when he moved to Long Beach. He retired in 1999. Canon McLaren served on the standing committee and diocesan council in Pittsburgh, and was an officer of the corporation of the Diocese of Los Angeles. He was an honorary canon of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul. Surviving are his wife, Murry, two children, Sandy and Tim, and two grandchildren.