EBEL, Lorne Arthur- September 8, 1934-August 8, 2019 - Lorne left us suddenly but peacefully on August 8th, surrounded by his wife and great partner of 66 years Dori (née Hughson), and the love and presence of all his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all those who knew him as family or friend.
Lorne was born in Southampton, Ontario and raised there and on the Manitoulin Island. Lorne enjoyed one of the happiest, active and most purposeful lives one could imagine. After meeting Dori in high school, they married in 1952 and travelled the world while also raising four children and balancing two careers. Lorne was a senior executive with the K-Mart Corporation, retiring in 1992 from the company after 39 successful years. Throughout his career, he lived in communities across Ontario and Manitoba making life long friends from all walks of life and seeing the beautiful diversity living amongst us.
Outside of work, Lorne was fully engaged in all the communities in which he lived. A Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, he rarely missed a Rotary Club meeting and was the president of three different clubs across Ontario, president of the local Probus in Orangeville, Chair of the Board of the Headwater Health Centre and chaired philanthropic auctions, events and galas too numerous to count. While his children where growing up, he was a boy scout leader, Junior Achievement leader, school volunteer and sports fan “extraordinaire” - a role that he happily continued with the arrival of his grandchildren. Never one to sit on the side lines, Lorne was physically active throughout his life and could be seen hiking the Bruce Trail, kayaking or canoeing rivers like the Saugeen, or skiing the Mono Nordic trails. He was quick to pick up a baseball glove or hockey stick for a little street hockey.
Lorne was serious about his civic duties and over the years managed many political campaigns at the municipal, provincial and federal levels – sometimes winning, sometimes losing but always having a fun time along the way while ever expanding his circle of friends.
Few people, other than perhaps his beloved Dori, read more books in their life than Lorne and he was always quick to pass a good one on to someone else. While he always enjoyed a good literary journey, he was known for his world travels, paddling the the Yukon River, visiting the Pyramids of Egypt, the Galápagos Islands, Vietnam, or nestled in the dunes of Southampton. With close to a 100 countries visited in his lifetime, he was a true Voyageur and Dori was the “Clark” to his “Lewis”……now his next adventure begins.
Beyond his loving wife, Lorne is survived by his children Lisa Bourdeau (husband Rick), Greg Ebel (wife Terri), Pamela Mauti (husband Joe), his siblings John Ebel (wife Mary) and Heather Highgate (husband Carl), his 10 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his son Matheson Ebel (wife Nancy), brother George Ebel (wife Marie).
Visitation will be held at Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Orangeville on Sunday, August 25th, 2019 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm and at the church on Monday, August 26th, 2019 from 10:00am - 11:00am. The service will take place at Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Headwaters Healthcare Centre or the Westminster Capital Campaign.
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