HE might have been known around town as the “publican’s publican” but Ian Larkin has been remembered as a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and loyal friend.
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Mr Larkin, 65, an integral member of the hotel and hospitality industry throughout country Victoria passed away on August 8.
At Thursday’s memorial, brother Graeme described his sibling as a man who meant all things to everyone and a man who lived a life worth celebrating.
“He meant so much to so many people,” Graeme said.
“His circle of friends and colleagues are amazing and he touched and influenced so many people. His achievements are legendary.”
While his pub legend is well known around Ballarat and indeed all of Victoria, it was Mr Larkin’s love of family and sport that shone out.
“Sporting events with Ian were a big part of our lives,” Graeme said.
“Boxing Day was a special day for us cricket wise. We would always go down and try and get some seats in the old southern stand above Bay 13 and that provided us all the entertainment we needed.
“Ian was always the master of catering and he would come up with food for 6-8 of us, there were some great memories and great times.
“The football, especially finals and grand finals is where his popularity reached its maximum and he always remembered my lifetime love of the Collingwood Football Club and I have to thank him for the 2010 grand final, twice.
“He was an AFL and MCC member and this is where as a family man he absolutely shone, that was family time and they would go and have great times.
“He loved his racing as well and he was an owner of some good and not so good gallopers and pacers.”
Tributes were also paid by Australian Hotels Association president Peter Burnett AM and hotels icon Billy Bell.
Mr Bell said he would always remember his friend.
“Larks was a man’s man, a publicans publican and a customer’s customer, an absolute gentleman,” Mr Bell said.
“He loved country pubs. We’ve been in every pub in Victoria and he’s never bought a drink. I will always remember you and I will never forget you.”
Mr Burnett said Mr Larkin was always there for anyone who needed his help.
But it came to Mr Larkin’s son Nicholas to some up the goodwill in the room.
“Dad always told me whenever I was miserable, as we all can get, not to let things get you down and I’ll always remember him telling me that,” Nicholas said.
“A quote from a hero of mine is `Immortality is to live your life doing good things and leaving your mark behind’ and that’s how I will think of dad.”
READ MORE: Farewell to a giant of hospitality
