Our dear friend SirMaurice passed away on Friday 22nd February. At his bedside were his beloved Hilda and their son, John. We extend to them our heartfelt sympathy. Sir Maurice was truly a man of distinction, vision and integrity. His munificence and welfare for others were legendary. He enjoyed a long and tremendously successful career, not only as the guiding light in the family business of John Laing - the construction company - but he held many other important roles. Yet he always remained modest in manner and retained a sense of humility.

The name ?Laing? is synonymous with Totteridge. I first became acquainted with Sir Maurice and Lady Laing in the 60?s when our daughters, like so many other local children over the years, were taught to swim in their pool at ?Reculver?. Their generosity to the Scouts, the TRA, Totteridge Manor Association, St. Andrew?s School, St. Andrew?s Church and their gestures of kindness to others are endless. An annual highlight in the Totteridge calendar is the day on which the gardens of ?Reculver? are opened. One can then stroll through them at leisure, enjoying the vast variety of flora and the panoramic vista across the valley. These views would have been spoilt forever had Maurice not intervened. He was instrumental in preventing electricity pylons being erected in our Totteridge valley. Without Maurice, together with another benefactor, your local associations could not have afforded to employ leading Counsel to fight the Planning Appeal in 1998/9, with Barnet Council, to stop development in the Greenbelt - London?s precious ?Green Lung?. Maurice and Hilda?s support and encouragement made the Millennium May Fayre achievable. Yes, Totteridge has just lost a true friend.

John (later Sir John) and Beatrice Laing had two sons, Kirby and Maurice, who were educated at St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate. They were devoted and devout parents. Sir John taught his sons to be competitive, diligent, financially prudent and charitable. Commitment to the Christian faith, in thought and deed, was paramount. In the centre of Sir Maurice?s Armorial Bearings rests an open Bible.

Maurice met Hilda Richards in 1939 and decided then and there that she was the lady for him. The following year on the 20th March 1940 they were married and she proved to be the perfect partner for her dynamic spouse. Shortly after their marriage, Hilda contracted tuberculosis. Several years of devoted nursing by her mother slowly restored Hilda back to health. I am sure this illness contributed to the Laings being such a compassionate and caring couple. In 1959, their marriage was blessed by the birth of their son, John Hedley.

During the War, whilst in the RAF, Maurice was selected to the Glider Pilot Regiment after Arnhem for the Rhine crossing, code named ?Operation Varsity?. This was an extremely dangerous mission. He landed his Horsa glider under heavy hostile crossfire from the Germans - no mean feat!

Maurice, like his father, was dedicated to his work. He thrived on challenges, and to cut corners to him was an anathema. He travelled throughout the world supervising contracts on behalf of Laings. Under his stewardship the company grew from strength to strength.

In 1953, at the age of 35, Maurice was a member of the UK Trade Mission to the Middle East. His zest and zeal led him to similar appointments. In 1963, he became the youngest ever Director of The Bank of England, a position he held for over 20 years. Maurice maintained that one of his greatest achievements was his role in the formation of the CBI in 1965. It was in that year that he received a Knighthood from the Queen and became a visiting Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford. In 1979, Sir Maurice received the coveted National Free Enterprise Award.

SirMaurice continued his father?s example of giving generously to endless worthy causes via their charitable Foundations. His interest in complementary medicine helped establish the Tyringham Clinic and the Laing Chair in Complementary Medicine at Exeter University - the first in Europe. Maurice was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science ?Honoris Causa? by the University in 1996.

Sailing was his hobby and ledMaurice to win numerous Cups, becoming one of Britain?s leading offshore racing yachtsmen. Also, he was a regular in the R.O.R.C. Fastnet Race. Clearly his stamina and competitiveness came to the fore in that sport with him at the helm. He was Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cowes and subsequently its Admiral, as well as President of the Royal Yachting Association.

He relished his holidays cruising around the world with Hilda, often accompanied by their devoted John. Maurice adored his garden and viewed with joy the ever changing seasons from his beloved ?Reculver? until his time came, to pass peacefully, on to his final voyage.

To me, Maurice was the personification of a ?gentleman? and to have written this brief tribute is a privilege.

A Memorial Service in celebration of Sir Maurice Laing?s life will be held at 12 noon on Thurday 22nd May 2008 at St. Clement Danes RAF Church, Strand, London WC2. If you require tickets to attend, please contact: Mr Terry Kenny on 020 7925 2582 or email kenny@rufford.org