Lorne Shantz

Obituaries

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Volunteerism in the Saugeen area lost a strong force when Lorne Shantz died on Wednesday, November 25, 2009.

Lorne was active in so many things.  Counciller Diane Huber recently gave him a compliment saying that "Lorne was at every planning meeting" open to the public and he used to attend the Council Meetings regularly.

But his attendance at meetings is not what people noticed about Lorne.  Yes, he was an active Propeller Club member,  Board Member on the Southampton Residents Association and the head of Chantry Centre, but that was minor compared to what he did quietly and behind the scenes.

He would sell raffle tickets in the rain, flip burgers or hand out fish at a fish fry.  That's what people noticed.  If there was a balky door on a public building, he would fix it.  He was an early volunteer during the Chantry Island Restoration and made many rides in bad weather to and from the island with good cheer.

He kept a fantastic file of information about what was going on in the Town and was a force for good.  He did not sit back and gripe about things like many do.  No, Lorne went to the meetings on snowy nights and attended focus groups to put his views into play.  He was an even tempered  person and did not lament or pout when decisions did not go his way.  He worked hard in a very positive way.  He made a difference and the difference was never for Lorne personal purposes

Lorne was a big and powerful man and his illness did not diminish his inner strength nor did it diminish his cheery nature.  That attitude was a gift to others.

The lasting image of Lorne will forever be of him doing something on a warm Saturday morning in front of the Town Hall in Southampton.  He might be helping  at a book sale or preparing something for people to eat or setting up tables. 

He would always offer to drive people to meetings either in the Saugeen area or beyond.  He would listen while others discussed issues and interject a positive comment now and again.  He was not a Pollyanna, no, he called a spade a spade, but never in a mean spirited manner.

Lorne and his lovely wife Jeannie attended so many events and lectures at the Museum too.  He was a fixture at them.  If anybody needed help, he was there to move a table or look for an extension cord or to gently say hello 

We say goodbye Lorne and rest well. 

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Friday, November 27, 2009