Lorne Albert Buck ~ December 13, 1933 - December 01, 2020
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Lorne Buck at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, ON., on the 1st of December, 2020.
Son of the late Robert and Millicent Buck, Lorne was born in Kilmaurs, ON., on the 13th of December, 1933. Brother to Edith Wemmers, Marian Ford, Helene Eggerstedt, Bernard Buck, George Buck, Frances Lytle, and the late Bob Buck and Ruby Thompson. The family of eleven was closely knit and very musical together.
Lorne was predeceased by his loving wife Mary and his beloved daughter Judy.
Lorne leaves behind a devoted family including children Jane, Karen (John), Kathy (Gord), and Allan; grandchildren Eric, Ian, Erin, Myles, Paul, Thomas, Timothy, Kristina, Nicole, and Jamison; great grandchildren Brooke, Claire, Robyn, Johnathon, Sophia, and Shannon.
Lorne graduated from Western University with honours in Physical Education. During his time at Western he was a champion cross country and track runner. Lorne's athletics continued as he coached 99 high school sports teams during his 28-year teaching career in the Toronto District School Board. Lorne was a founding member of the Metro Toronto Road Runners Association and soon became a competitive marathon runner, winning the Canadian Masters Marathon in 1974. Even though his den was filled with personal trophies, medals and ribbons, receiving the Pete Beach Award for Excellence from the Coach's Association of Ontario was Lorne's greatest award. Helping youth develop and learn through sport was his true passion.
Continuing from his musical roots, Lorne established himself as a prominent Bluegrass songwriter, performer, and recording artist. Over the years, Lorne lead his bands, Bluegrass Jam, The Flatland Mountaineers, and The Backwoodsmen, throughout North American venues, festivals and competitions.
Lorne and Mary retired to a farm north of Brighton, ON., in 1982 where they enjoyed outdoor activities together and countless gatherings with their loving family for more than 35 years. Lorne will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
A memorial service and interment will take place at a later date at the St. Thomas Anglican Church, Woodlawn, ON.
In lieu of flowers, family has suggested donations be made to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario in Lorne's name at https://alzheimer.ca/on/en/about-us/alzheimer-society-ontario
Jane & Ivar Andersen
Posted on: Monday, December 7, 2020Lorne had an interesting and fulfilling life. What a variety of interests and hobbies!
He will be missed by many.
Kathy Ailles (Buck)
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020On behalf of my sisters & brother I thank you for your lovely words regarding our Dad. Yes, he will definitely be missed. I am just sorry that Robyn will not have a chance to get to know her Great-Grandfather. My granddaughter Shannon would get a huge smile from Dad whenever he saw her.
Thank-you again.
Kathy (Buck) Ailles on behalf of Jane, Karen & Al
Chantal Gunter
Posted on: Tuesday, January 5, 2021Dear Kathy, Jane, Karen and Al – I am saddened to learn of your father’s passing as I was just about to send him a New Year’s card. We had reconnected on the phone a few times in the last couple of years and he called me just last fall. As you may remember, he was a great friend of our late father Fred Gunter and it always comforted me to talk to Lorne about his memories. He used to come up North on some of his trips and stay the night before our fathers headed off in to the bush together for a trip. I will always remember one time we woke up one morning to find your Dad camped out under our ping pong table in the basement. He didn’t want to wake anyone up and just made the best of it! It was quite funny. He was kind enough to share his book with my siblings and I shortly after our mother Emmanuelle died. We really appreciated it as it contained some passages about our parents. I know your Dad was so sad to lose your mom and I hope they are together now, perhaps even visiting with their old friends, my parents, Fred and Emmanuelle. I will miss our chats.
My heartfelt condolences to you,
Chantal Gunter
Lisa Trodden
Posted on: Monday, December 7, 2020Such a blessing to know that Uncle Lorne was able to touch the lives of so many people. ❤️
Kathy Ailles (Buck)
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020Lisa;
On behalf of my sisters & brother I would like to thank-you for your kind words regarding our Dad. He definitely touched many lives, and he will be missed.
Kathy
Karen Appleby (Riddell)
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020We will miss you Uncle Lorne.
Love
Karen, Greg, Harrison and Hamish Appleby
Kathy Ailles (Buck)
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020Karen;
On behalf of my sisters & brother I would like to thank you for your kind words regarding our dad, and for posting the lovely picture of the two of you together. We will definitely miss the annual family Carol Sing with Dad leading the singing. Our love to you & your family ‘down under’.
Kathy
Robert Brideau
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020My Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy to the Family of Lorne Buck. My heart is saddened to hear of his passing. Lorne was a Friend and my favorite Bluegrass Artist.
A Fan,
Robert Brideau
Ottawa, Ontario
Anne Wedler (Perkins)
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020We are very saddened to hear the news of Lorne’s passing. I only had the pleasure of meeting Lorne a couple of times. But my Mom & Dad ( Wilma and Doug Perkins) were friends of Lorne and Mary. Both my parents have passed away. My father, Doug hunted with Lorne for quite a few years. Lorne had a hardwood stand on his farm that he had named “Doug’s woods”. I live in Nova Scotia, and never got to visit Lorne and see these woods.
I extend much love from our family to yours in this difficult time. Regards, Anne Wedler ( Perkins)
Lois Rigney
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020We have wonderful memories of Lorne playing his guitar at the Family Reunion campfires for our family singsongs down at the lake. Other family members would join in with their instruments to form our “family band” on Canning Lake in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands.
Dave Bush
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020Lorne had a meaningful and profound impact on many, who along with you the family , mourn his passing.
To further recognize his influence, a site has been set up where one might share experiences , anecdotes, pictures, memories, etc. . Access is via the link below.
http://www.lornebuck.blogspot.com
Ed&Mary Smurthwaite
Posted on: Tuesday, December 8, 2020Mary and I fist met Lorne at their wedding in London Ontario in 1955 and Mary and I were married in June 1956 so that goes back 65 years. Mary and I enjoyed many get togethers over all those years as both of our families grew and developed. As they left there wedding a sign on the back of the car read “Off to make a fast Buck”. We will miss our times of seeing each other and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Cathy Galberg
Posted on: Thursday, December 10, 2020Deepest condolence to Karen and family on the passing of her father. He was certainly an accomplished man in a variety of ways – a life well lived. May he rest in peace.
Larry Bush/Penny Stewart
Posted on: Thursday, December 10, 2020Penny and I send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of Lorne. Great memories remain of hunting together on the farm and up north in Iroquois Bay, with Lorne, Dave Bush,Wil Bush, A.J. Bush, Doug Perkins and Joe D’oliveira.
He will be missed now and forever, but never forgotten.
Roy Riddell
Posted on: Saturday, December 12, 2020Lorne had a full and happy life doing the things he loved to do…..maple syrup…music…played the guitar……..wrote songs…..formed Bluegrass bands…..travelled and performed at various Bluegrass festivals…he took time to be a good husband and good father of 5 kids…..he will be remembered for leading the singsongs around the beach fire at the annual family reunions at Lois’s on Canning Lake…..he will be missed.
Sharon Brewster
Posted on: Monday, December 14, 2020Deepest sympathy Karen in the loss of your Father. My most recent memories are of visiting your Dad at Applefest. He always had such amazing and interesting stories to tell about his life, his family , his friends, and his career. I always enjoyed my visits. May memories of him always bring a smile to your heart! Thoughts and prayers for the family in your loss.
Gary Fradsham
Posted on: Saturday, December 19, 2020How sad it was to learn of Mr. Buck’s passing today. Mr. Buck was my Gym teacher at Eastern Commerce, in Toronto in the late 60s. I wasn’t especially athletic, and Mr Buck knew that, and afforded me extra attention, in an effort to not discourage my efforts. I always appreciated that kindness. I did see his band performe once, in Peterborough, I believe, and I spoke to him briefly. May he rest in the arms of the angels…. Gary Fradsham, Lindsay, ont.
Larry Bush/Penny Stewart
Posted on: Saturday, December 19, 2020Penny and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Lorne. I had many great outings with Lorne while we walked the woods hunting deer or x-country skiing the trails.Along with my dad, Doug Perkins, brothers Dave and Wil, we all enjoyed Lorne’s and Mary’s hospitality and the beauty of their property, even if there was a long steep climb some mornings to get to the deer stand.
I am sure Lorne is singing a song and enjoying the happy hunting grounds, as he deserves to.
R.I.P.
Linda Chambers
Posted on: Saturday, December 19, 2020Lorne was always out walking Gooderich/Loomis road when I was. He always had a smile and we always had a chat.
I’ll miss seeing him.
I have an ornament on my tree that Mary made.
He helped my husband on several occasions.
Tom and Linda Chambers
Robert Grills
Posted on: Sunday, December 20, 2020I’m saddened to learn of Mr Buck’s (Lorne’s) passing.
As a former student at Eastern High School of Commerce 1962-66 I had the distinct pleasure and privilege of his Physical Education leadership and as Football, Basketball,Track and Field Coach and not to to mention his leadership in the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp at Number 2225
EHSC. I believe he held the rank of Captain as the adult liaison officer to the DND for the high school Through his guidance and integrity he was instrumental in helping me achieve a once in a life time opportunity to attend the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp Encampment in Banff Alberta. I will never forget. His leadership and instruction was not wasted and had much to do in my life’s path.
Sincere condolences to the family
Rest in Peace Mr. Buck (Lorne)
Carmen Colangelo
Posted on: Tuesday, December 22, 2020My sincere condolence’s to Lorne’s family.
Mr. Buck, as we called him, was my physical education teacher at Eastern Commerce High School from 1962-1964 in Toronto. He made a positive impact on my life which I have never forgotten. One of my fondest memories were his swimming lessons, as I couldn’t swim when entering high school. 55 years later, I still think of Mr. Buck, when I’m swimming at our cottage lake in the Haliburton Highlands.
Carmen Colangelo
Ernie Armstrong
Posted on: Thursday, December 24, 2020I just learned of Lorne’s passing and would like to express my condolences. Lorne and I coached wrestling in the early seventies – Lorne at East End/Lakeview, I at Oakwood, and we had some good times together. I always enjoyed listening to Lorne’s stories about teaching and coaching.
He was a terrific coach and a good man.
Sincere condolences to his family.
Ken Leitch
Posted on: Thursday, December 31, 2020I have many good memories of Lorne through coaching wrestling, TSSAA Golf , and listening to his stories and bluegrass music . My association with Lorne started in 1970 ; so that’s 50 years of knowing and enjoying Lorne . Rest in Peace .
Paul Clarke
Posted on: Wednesday, January 20, 2021I was, by chance, reading the obituaries in The Toronto Star several weeks ago. I was deeply saddened to hear that Lorne Albert Buck passed on December 1st 2020. I have known Lorne and his family since the late 1970’s. Lorne and I kept in touch over the years on and off. I recently reconnected with him several years ago. I was going to send a Christmas card him when I found out the sad news. He was a great man and had a wondeful family. I thought of him as a Father – one that I never had. I truly hope that he is resting in peace. My sincere condolensces to the family. Respectfully – Paul Clarke
Sharon
Posted on: Sunday, January 31, 2021I am very sorry to find out of his passing, I will miss his music and his maple syrup, there is none better
Sharon Peister
John Brown
Posted on: Monday, February 15, 2021I was at Eastern Commerce for the 1963-1964 school year (grade 9). I was in the newly created 5-year program (Robart’s Plan). with 37 boys (a school known for its female populace). Mr. Buck was my teacher of gym, swimming, health and geography. He was a great guy. He was a captain in the reserves. He had joined the army in 1950. The army would assist in his education. He led the cadet corps in the school which I joined and through him I trained in wireless communication and also had good use of the rifle range.
I’m sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
David Barrett
Posted on: Thursday, October 10, 2024I have only just learned of Lorne’s passing. Please accept my belated condolences to the family. Lorne gave me my start in teaching when he hired me at Lakeview S.S. I had applied for a “possible” P.E. position and Lorne wanted to keep me so I ended up teaching Science and coaching X-Country. My new department head was Usha Finucane but I was mentored quite well by both her and Lorne that year. My experience at Lakeview that first year was priceless and would pave the way for a long teaching and coaching career. I am retired now and living in New Zealand but have never forgotten my fateful start with Lorne and that special year at Lakeview. Lorne Bucke made a difference to a lot of people’s lives. I am one of them and forever grateful. Thank you, Lorne Buck.