Lorne Clare

CLARE, Judge Lorne Patterson On March 29, 2010, hard working hands were laid to rest and a compassionate heart stopped beating. Lorne Clare was born in New Westminster on June 6th, 1930 and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eileen, and his two daughters, Kelly Rebecca (Tom) Selkirk and Patricia Dawne Clare (Peter Wilcox), his grandchildren Brady, Alex and Neal. Lorne is also survived by his brother-in-law, Jim Dickson, who spent his teen years being raised with our family. It has been a blessing and a privilege to call ourselves the family of Lorne Clare. He gave the word gentleman its true meaning by being a very gentle man. His word was his honor and his hand shake was his contract. With a twinkle in his eye, you knew he had saved a special joke just for you, and with a single low chuckle, you knew when you had delighted him! Dad loved his friends and there was no truer friend than he, with the loyalty he held for those close to him. Lorne practiced law in New Westminster for 23 years and was then appointed and sat as a Provincial Court Judge for another 23 years. Our Dad believed in the legal system and defended everyone's entitlement to justice. He loved his work dearly, yet it still made us all nervous when he would come home from court announcing that I saw someone that you know today! Lorne was a past president of the New Westminster Bar Association, a Director of the Westminster Club; and a New Westminster Police Commissioner. Dad was also a founding member and Director of the Queen's Park Extended Care Hospital where he worked tirelessly to ensure the rights of the elderly were not overlooked. Lorne was an involved member of the Coquitlam Search and Rescue Team where he suffered his first heart attack, but still said the thrill was worth it! Our Dad loved his family and enjoyed his retired years at Crescent Beach with Mom. He never tired remembering all the little things that pleased us. From fixing our things, to finding our things, he knew what to do to please each and every one of us with a quiet and gracious gesture. Lorne was a great example of a husband's protection being stronger than a suit of armor. He remained our Mother's best friend until his last breath and always stopped everything he was doing to watch her enter a room. The best restaurants were of no interest to Dad, as he would finish his meal and remark loudly Your mother could make it better I bet! He was correct. Dad drove a pink boat because his daughters picked it out for him 40 years ago because they said it was winking at them when he tested the lights. Today, the Pinkie is the oldest boat in the Crescent Beach marina, but full of great memories. We will dearly miss fishing with Dad in Loon Lake, as a fish on the line for Dad, was like watching a beautiful ballet, but with a bad outcome for the trout. Sandra, we know you and Dad were cheating at cards after hard days fishing, but we forgive you. L.P.C. we will miss you and it has been a privilege to be loved and protected by you. In honor of Dad's wishes, there will be no public funeral. In lieu of flowers, please give them to someone you love like he did. Please no donations... Dad would encourage you all to pay off debt and save a little bit for some fun on a rainy day. Our family thanks our angels on earth, the Fire Department on 128th Avenue in South Surrey, the White Rock Ambulance drivers, the kind souls at the Peace Arch Hospital and the talented care of the Saint Paul's Heart Health Clinic for their creativity. Thank you, Vickie for your kindness daily in our home.