Lorne Harris

Lorne Harris died peacefully on June 26, 2023, at Beckley Farm Lodge. By his side were were his life partner, Else, and daughters Cynthia and Lorna. Special thanks go to Dr Kevin Wade, who made Lorne’s last moments so comforting.

Lorne is survived by his partner Else Jones, daughters Cynthia Campbell (nee Harris) and Lorna Harris, brother John (Jackie) Harris, grandchildren Lydia and John Hart, and great-grandchildren Grayson, Violet, and Ronan. Lorne also leaves nieces and nephews, an extended family, and many friends. These include Aaron Bursey-Harris, with whom he shared a very special relationship. Aaron is the son of his ex-wife Shirley. To Lorne, family was family, it crossed the lines of past and present, and it just was. He always did his best to support everyone. His time spent with Lydia, John, and Aaron gave them a role model they will never forget.

There were always ambrosial smells and wonderful meals coming out of Lorne's bus and apartment—roasts, vegetarian fare, chocolate cookies, breads. . . . Lorne returned to school in his fifties, taking the cooking program at Camosun College and excelling. Cooking was a huge interest for the family. Lorne's grandson John took the same Camosun program years later—and made cooking his career.

But Lorne is probably best remembered for his alternative lifestyle, for ditching conventional office work to pursue many adventures. Whether living very simply in his refurbished 1956 International school bus on Pender and Lasqueti Islands, taking off on long-distance cycling trips (to Montreal, across Newfoundland, to the Baja, etc.), camping in the Mexican desert, or spending three months wandering around India and Nepal on part of his journey around the world, no one could ever say that he lived a boring life!

While cycling, Lorne also researched what was to become his 344-page, professionally edited and printed, book, The Harris Family in Words and Photos. He spent many years of researching, conducting personal interviews, and poring through records, even in The Rooms archives in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He produced an amazing historical account, and he sent a hard copy to every family member, once it was published. Else was instrumental in getting this book done, lending many hours of editorial help and emotional support, all the way along.

Lorne was asked three times to speak in front of groups about his cycling adventures. He was still cycling into his eighties, doing 40-60 km many days a week. It was a huge part of his persona.

Lorne will always be remembered most, though, for being a kind, loving human being, always there to lend a hand and offer support. He was in short, one of the good ones.