BUNN, Leonard William “Lyle”
Lyle passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 24, 2016 at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie at the age of 86. Lyle leaves behind his beloved wife of 35 years, Elsie (nee Galer). He was a loving father of Debbie (Eddy) DeMarco, Jo-Anne (Bob) Harris, Brenda Bunn, and a loving step-father to Richard Goldrick, Randal Goldrick, and Debby (Larry Luckett) Goldrick. Cherished grandfather of 5 and great grandfather of 6. Dear brother to Ivy, Keith “Willy” (Audrey), Claire (Sandy), Marion (Doug) and Marilyn (Norm) and dear brother in law to Joyce Bunn. Pre-deceased by his step-son Terence Goldrick, his two older brothers Herbert and Joe, his sister-in-law Eileen and his brother-in-law Harold Worthing. Lyle will be dearly missed by many nieces and nephews and their extended families.
For 34 years and 8 months Lyle worked for the Township of North York in the Public Works department. He retired in 1981 and moved up north to Novar where he spent the next 35 years in very active retirement. Having met through square dancing, Lyle and Elsie continued to dance through retirement and joined The Huntsville Square Dancing Club and traveled to many locations in northern Ontario to dance. They also opened and ran a successful Bed and Breakfast and greeted guests from around the world - many of whom still keep in touch. Their successes continued with a table at the Huntsville Farmers Market where they sold preserves each week and where they became known as the Pickle Man and the Pickle Lady. Needing a break from the cold, they became snowbirds and spent 13 winters in Yuma, Arizona before deciding to brave the winters in Novar where they kept active by joining and becoming an integral part of the Burks Falls Art Club. Lyle also spent quite a bit of time writing letters to the Editor of the local newspaper which probably caused the Editor a few ulcers, but which gave Lyle great pleasure. As cancer survivors themselves, Lyle and Elsie gave back to the community by becoming volunteer drivers for the Cancer Society which had them taking patients needing cancer treatment to cancer centers in Toronto, Sudbury and any point in between.
Lyle was the ultimate story teller and, as a tribute to him, we invite you to share your stories of or about him during a celebration of life which will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 147, Barrie on Monday, November 28, 2016 between 1:00 and 4:00 - come share your memories any time.
In keeping with Lyle’s wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Precious Paws Rescue in Barrie or a charity of your choice.
Brenda Bunn
Posted on: Friday, November 25, 2016Dad, I will always remember the good times like when we got together for lunch at Rama and you’d share the latest stories. Life certainly wasn’t quiet for you and, heaven forbid it ever was, you’d create something to change that – like the time you called the local car dealership after their ad came out in the paper. The ad promised “no first payment”, so you called to ask when you could pick up your free car, because after all, if there’s no first payment, there can’t be a second or third or fourth…. so it must be free. Or when you were given counterfeit quarters many years ago that the RCMP eventually confiscated and you got the RCMP officer so upset that he eventually gave you money out of his own pocket to cover the coins they took from you. You questioned things and never backed down and you taught me those qualities. For that I thank you. I love you and will miss you. Brenda
Debby Goldrick
Posted on: Saturday, November 26, 2016Dad (Lyle), Missing you so much already but so very thankful that you came into our lives and that we had so many great years of your love, guidance, debates, and fun. Accepting someone else’s child into your home while being a newlywed could not have been easy but you never flinched, not once, at least not openly. Knowing how delicate that balance is can be difficult at best and you mastered it with grace. Thank you for teaching me how to respect boundaries and allow others’ feelings to come first when needed. My mother met you through your quest to find a square dance partner “no strings attached” but the strings became attached quite quickly and during the rest of your years together they were woven together nicely. The two of you were inseparable, I still say you were both “joined at the hip” when I describe the two of you. I remember you both had me sit in between you in the cab of the pickup truck whenever we went out but at every single (yes, every single) stop light you two had to kiss..stretching across in front of me, a peck on the lips right in front of me each time. I nicknamed stop lights “Kissingers” and I still smile every once in a while when waiting for a red light to turn green…thank you for showing me how to love and not be afraid to express it openly. Thank you for loving my mother and showing her the love and respect she so deserved. I remember our dinnertime conversations (more like great debates) about many different topics – mom always staying quiet and letting us debate sometimes all through the meal and beyond. We both had our opinions and silly me, I thought at my young age I could somehow sway yours because ‘clearly you didn’t know what you talking about’… I now know that you had years of perspective and wisdom and I was just a feisty teenager thinking I knew more than you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me, it did eventually stick with me and I know you were happy to see that over the years. When I think of you I think of love, kindness, respect, and living with pride for who you are. You taught me so much by example and I cannot thank you enough. Forever in our hearts. Love you.
Wes Dunn
Posted on: Sunday, November 27, 2016Dear Brenda:
I was saddened when I read, today, of the death of your Dad. I am so sorry. Please accept for yourself and the other members of your family my most profound and heartfelt sympathy. Wes
Norman McMullen & St. Swithun's Society
Posted on: Monday, November 28, 2016Dear Elsie & Family,
We are deeply saddened to learn of Lyle’s passing. There are so many very special memories associated with our long friendship, especially through St. Swithun’s Society. We are thinking of the annual Celebrations, the garage sales and the various social events we all enjoyed over the years. Who could ever forget the fierce competition to win a jar of those wonderful dill pickles at the Silent Auctions!! Lyle always brought so much fun to our Society events.
Unfortunately we are unable to attend the memorial today but we are keeping you very close in our thoughts and prayers. On behalf of our Membership and friends, please accept our sincere condolences.
Norman McMullen, President,
Kevin Dark, Vice-President,
St. Swithun’s Society,
Richmond Hill, Ontario