Maurice Machan of Harriston passed away at Caressant Care, Harriston on Saturday, December 14, 2024 in his 85th year. Father of Barbara and Patrick Martin of Saugeen Shores, Carolyn Machan and David Martin of Etobicoke, Colleen and Jeff Henkenhaf of East Garafraxa, Kimberly and Hugh Grafton of Meaford, Gary Machan of Mount Forest, Kevin Machan and Sheila McKnight of Owen Sound, Gerald and Jill Machan of Harriston, and Andrew and Joanne Machan of London. Grandfather of Brandy Grafton-Rice and Martin Rice, Nathalja and Rick Hogervorst, Tatiana Henkenhaf and Matt Gubasta, Wyatt and Alex Machan, Ariana Machan, Reid Machan, Luke Machan, Emmett Machan, Arwen Machan, and Morgan Machan. Great-grandfather of Ian Rice, Georgia Rice, Avery Rice, Theresa Hogervorst, and Blaine Machan. Brother of Muriel McIntee, and brother-in-law of Helen Shaughnessy, and Mary and Joe Didyk. Maurice is remembered by his 2nd wife Helen Machan and her family. He was predeceased by his 1st wife Eileen (Shaughnessy) Machan, by his parents, Kenneth and Susan Machan, by his sister Isobel Wood and husband Joe, brothers William Machan and wife Shirley, and Harold Machan, brother-in-law Bernard Shaughnessy and sister-in-law Dorothy Allen. Maurice spent almost his entire life on the family farm he loved on the 11th line of Minto. From his start as a young boy running a team of horses in the bush with his father and older brothers or working in the garden with his mother and sisters until he and his wife eventually purchased the farm from his parents and started a family of their own. Beginning as a dairy farmer to the eventual transition to sows and piglets, daughters and sons alike were all given the opportunity to join him in the barn and learn the noble pursuit of the manure fork. A farm that would eventually grow the largest “crop” of children in a community of generational friends and neighbours. A place where when Maurice got home from logging a local bush with his trusty Timberjack or delivering a neighbour’s yearly load of firewood, he always had a coffee (or maybe a little something from under the sink) waiting to welcome friends, neighbors and family who knew they only needed to knock to hear the familiar shout of “come in”. Whether it was a boisterous game of cards with close friends or an all-out family gathering that sometimes could see over 30 members of the extended family sitting down to a home cooked meal, Maurice was always happy to welcome all to his farm. And if it happened to involve guitars and someone singing a classic country song, all the better. From his earliest giving grief to the one room schoolteacher with his lifelong friend, Jim to when he eventually had to ask his grandsons to help him with his acre of lawn, his farm and the family, friends and neighbors that went with it were all he ever wanted. It’s hoped everyone who shared those times with him and his family treasure the memories as much as he did. A private family service was held at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston on Tuesday, December 17. Interment in Harriston Cemetery. Memorial donations to Palmerston & District Hospital or The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce, Owen Sound would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com
