McLAREN – Grant John (Macka)

Born Saturday April 12, 1958. Passed away Saturday March 08, 2025.

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12/04/1958 – 08/03/2025

Loved by all his family and friends.

Now at peace

Tributes

1. To Sharon and family. I only knew him for a short time at BHP all those years ago, but what an impact he had on me. Kept in touch and the dinner at Burswood we had I hold close in my heart. He was a top bloke, made me laugh and his banter was what made him a great friend. So sorry for your loss. Love from Mike and myself. Will never ever be forgotten! Mike and Clayton.

   Clayton Buck

   March 22, 2025 11:17 pm

2. My condolences to Grant´s Family, this is so sorry...OMG!! he was a great mentor for me. I had the great opportunity to work and chat with him, I remember those evening in Alcantara´s office making letters and his special signature....

   This isn't a goodbye this is to say see you soon. I will always remember him as a great person.

   Grant please rest in peace.

   Paola Espinosa.

   Paola Espinosa

   March 21, 2025 4:54 am

3. The Chilean family was fortunate to know him and share this beautiful work. He was always a source of unconditional support. He was an excellent person, a great leader, and a wonderful human being. His memory is unforgettable for the mining construction family. Our condolences to his wife and children. May God bless him and give him the peace he needs to overcome this moment. Forever in our memories, dear Grant.

   Leticia Ibarra

   March 21, 2025 3:33 am

4. Dear Sharon and Family,

   We are very sad to know of Grant's passing, but understand he is now out of pain and in peace.
   Sorry we could not be there to farewell him, but we followed his memorial online.
   Please accept our sincere condolences.

   Alan McConnon, Francine and Fiona Gould.

   Francine Gould

   March 20, 2025 5:14 pm

5. Very sad and sorry Sharon, family and friends.
   Grant, what a top bloke; pragmatic and get on with it attitude!
   Big hugs to you Grant!
   Leonardo Ferro

   Leonardo Ferro

   March 20, 2025 1:02 pm

6. So sorry Sharon to hear of Mackas passing. We have all taken many paths since those years at Deakin but those years provided the foundation for our careers eventhough us civils at Deakin were certainly the fun group. He will be missed by you and your family but the memories will remain. Rest in peace Macka.

   Stan Antczak

   March 20, 2025 11:53 am

7. Grant, those were some fun five years of sharing tribulations and mostly good laughs. I will always remember your great ability to blur the lines between languages. At times, I found myself asking if it was English or Chilean Spanish. I’ve never met someone as skilled as you in that area.
   You really knew how to build the bridge between cultures, so thank you for showing me that sometimes the most profound professional contributions come wrapped in the unexpected package of linguistic playfulness and cultural authenticity. Your legacy of real connection will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have met and worked alongside you.
   I’ll hold onto the memories of our weekly late afternoon calls. Too early to leave, my friend. We’ll have to catch up another late afternoon.

   RIP Grant

   Varinia Aranguren

   March 20, 2025 10:49 am

8. Sincerest Condolances to Sharon and Family from Steve and Sue.
   We were lucky to have known Grant and call him a friend.
   Working with him for 5 years and seeing how much he cared about people and made a positive impact wherever he was, he was one of a kind and will be deeply missed

   Stephen McKechnie

   March 20, 2025 9:00 am

9. Amigo Grant, espero que la película de tu vida al momento de partir haya incluido al menos una escena de nosotros trabajando y riendo en tu oficina del piso 8 del Edificio Alcántara en Santiago. Te fuiste demasiado luego, pero estoy segura de que ya estás contando tus historias allá arriba, provocando risas a doquier. No sé si voy a llegar al mismo lugar donde tú estás ahora, pero si así sucede, te pido que me reserves una habitación en tu mismo campamento. Hasta algún día amigo, cuando me toque partir, guardaré en mi mochila un chocolate Sahne Nuss con pasas al ron, para que lo disfrutes eternamente.

   Heidi Elgueda

   March 20, 2025 5:45 am

10. Maka - Hijo, I have remarkable reflections of 30 plus years of working and socializing with you in the high altitudes of the Atacama desert. Your devotion to your work and your colleagues was always remarkable. Your canny wisdom in solving complicated construction tasks was remarkable. Most important, your sense of humour - ‘Aussie Unica. Your devotion to your teams over the years makes you ‘one of a kind’.
    You will be fondly remembered and solely missed..
    Ken Pickering

    Ken Pickering

    March 19, 2025 10:45 am

11. Our sincerest condolences to Sharon and the family. Grant was one of those guys who made lasting impressions on so many around the world. I am fortunate to have worked side by side with him for 5 years down in Chile on QB2 and established a strong social bond. He was a pleasure to be around (most of the time) and could carry on a conversation with just about anyone. My wife and kids remember him as extremely social and kind but nervous around our dog "Blue" (long story). Its way too early to check-out Macka, but Im already looking forward to sharing that box of wine you owe me in the distant future. Best regards mate and RIP, the Hroza's.

    Karl Hroza

    March 19, 2025 9:18 am

12. Grant, it has been an honour to know you and call you a friend, a friendship where we shared the same principles, us both being engineers, meticulous and proud of our achievements and more so the sense of humour we shared and the many laughs we had. We could have written a book on project delivery a subject you and I were passionate about, travel well my friend, we will continue with our stories and conversations in the next life. My condolences to Sharon and family.

    Ken Ullyett

    March 16, 2025 7:08 pm

13. Grant, you can look upon us and see those who thought so much of you.
    So many memories of working together, the larakin, the work-a-holic and perfectionist who didn’t tolerate fools.
    Was great to know you and both Clara and I are sad to see you go but know that you are in a better place and will probably be suggesting some improvement that could be made to make it a safer place.

    Tony Owen And Clara Rivera Milla

    March 13, 2025 3:37 pm