Lorne Albert Buck

My earliest recollection of Lorne was in January 1983 when my older brother, Dave, suggested the three of us cross country ski in to and spend the night in a cabin in the vicinity of Lorne's hunt camp between Two Mile and Wadsworth Lakes off Highway 62, north of Highway 7. I was training for my gold bar in the Canadian Ski Marathon so I welcomed the opportunity to ski with a loaded pack. Dave Bush (L), Wil Bush January 1983 Lo and behold Lorne brought his dog, a Saint Bernard-like brute named Claude, minus the miniature whiskey barrel under the chin. I thought this is great as Claude could break trail in the deep snow making life easier for us following skiers. In the end too many zig zags following Claude and we were left to break our own trail. Thus we moved slower than anticipated. Claude and Lorne I won't say Lorne didn't know where he was going but in a snow-covered coniferous forest, one tree looks like another. "Oh we're getting close" as the fading sun...

My association with Lorne goes back to 1970 when we coached wrestling and football for opposing teams,  West Park and Lakeview . We roomed together at the Physical Education and Health  conferences at Lake Couchiching on several occasions, and between sessions or presentations,    Lorne spent most of his free time practicing the banjo or guitar. That practice paid off, and I, along with thousands of others, were able to enjoy his music with Lorne Buck and the Bluegrass Jam, The Flatland Mountaineers, and The Backwoodsmen. For over 15 years I shared a cart with Lorne at the annual TSSAA Golf Tournament.  In our foursome, we always depended on Lorne to keep our score respectable with his chipping and putting skills. Usually it was left in the steady hands of Lorne to putt last and save par.  TSSAA Golf Tournament June 2018 Lorne's CD's will continue to give my wife and I a smile, tear or laugh as we play them in the car going up north and at the cottage....

  September 1968 In 1968 as a new teacher to the Toronto Board, I became a colleague of Lorne at East End High School; a collection of about 35 portables, an old public school brick building, and large elongated hut-like structure that housed the cafeteria and a minuscule gym. Lorne was the head of the Physical education department at the one year old school, having come from Eastern Commerce and a stint in Pembroke Ontario. This was an all boys school set up to educate basic level students who had been streamed through their academic or behavioural records, to this institution, seemingly unable to make the grade at a technical school or collegiate. These students were especially challenging but Lorne, and his ability to channel one's energy through sport into constructive behaviour, was remarkable. I was charged with coaching the midget football team, all young lads who had never played contact football before, to be coached by myself, who had never coached before. A lot n...

As you can see Lorne certainly could pack away the groceries. and one hardly had to wash his plate when he was done. This probably stems from his childhood ,where in family of 13 ,you ate all that was on your plate in those tough economic times. Full or not, Lorne always room for a sweet to finish the meal .The meal wasn't complete without dessert and tea. He had varied tastes and I can't remember him ever turning down any particular foodstuff. He even went as far as to say on one hunting trip that he would eat the testicles of a buck if he shot one that trip. Luckily for him it was I who bagged the stag that year. I almost wish he had shot it just to see him keep his promise. Nov 2019 Nov 2018 Thanksgiving 2018 March 2019