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Dr. Lorne Greenaway, DVM

At home peacefully on September 13, 2010 after a courageous battle with ALS, surrounded by his loving family and with the support of his many friends.

Born on May 8, 1933, in Bella Coola, son of the late Everett and Olivia (nee Nygaard) Greenaway. Husband to loving wife and best friend, Phyl, wonderful Dad to Kate (Don Craft), Terry (Jeong Ah Kim), Steven (Teresa) and Tom, proud “GG” to Udom, Olivia and Ben.

Lorne led a truly remarkable life, full of achievement, rich in family and friends, and always guided by his renowned integrity, kindness and indomitable sense of humour.

His career was highlighted by his election in 1979 to the House of Commons as the Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Chilcotin, where he served until he resigned in 1988. Throughout his time in Ottawa, representing his constituents was always his primary focus. He was known and respected for his commitment to listening and applying common sense solutions to everyday problems.

From his early days in Bella Coola, Naramata and Kelowna, Lorne developed an enduring attachment to his native British Columbia and a practical knowledge of all things outdoors. He owned, trained and loved many horses and became an accomplished rider. After graduating from Kelowna Senior Secondary in 1952, Lorne attended Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, where he graduated with first class honours and served as class president.

Lorne established a small and large animal veterinary practice in Kamloops where he served the needs of many of BC’s largest ranches, including the historic Gang Ranch and Douglas Lake Cattle Company. It was also during this time that Lorne and Phyl built the family cabin at Shuswap Lake that has brought so much joy to family and friends.

In 1968, Lorne was appointed Associate Professor, Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon where he served for one year until his yearning to return to BC led him into ranching, first in Kelowna and then in Williams Lake, where he and Phyl owned the Soda Creek Ranch.

In 1974, Lorne moved the family to Vancouver where they lived in Southlands and he built and operated a small animal veterinary practice in Steveston.

After leaving elected office, Lorne continued his career in public service as the BC Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and Chair of the BC Land Commission. He later represented the federal government as one of the first Commissioners on the BC Treaty Commission.

Lorne enjoyed his retirement years in Victoria amongst many friends, playing tennis and bridge, travelling and walking his dogs along the streets of Ten Mile Point. He got tremendous joy from designing and caring for a beautiful garden and was known far and wide for his practical jokes and his gift for telling stories. His dahlias, like his legacy, live on. The accomplishments of his children and grandchildren made him tremendously proud.

The Greenaway family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Lorne’s wonderful caregiver, Roy Neville, and to our many friends who understood our journey and responded in so many practical ways.

A celebration of Lorne’s life will be held in Victoria at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at the Uplands Golf Club. At his request, there will be “no sniveling allowed!” In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorne’s name to the Canadian ALS Society at als.ca.




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