1924 – 2015
Bathurst – Lorne Whalen, 91, formerly of Meadow Ave., Bathurst, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Foyer Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes on Wednesday February 25, 2015.
Born in Newcastle, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Mary (Young) Whalen.
Lorne was a veteran of World War II and a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Herman J Good VC Branch #18 for which he was presented the Award of Merit. He served 15 years as Captain of the Bathurst Militia and was further honored for his military career by serving a term as Honorary Colonel of the 2RNBR Regiment.
The awards Lorne received over the years is a testament to the contributions he made to his profession and his community. Among these awards are the following:
- Larkin Trophy, St F X U 1949 Awarded to the student who best combined the qualities of athletic ability, sportsmanship, character and scholarship
-St F X U Sports Hall of Fame 1977
-Bathurst Sports Hall of Fame 1991
-NB Sports Hall of Fame 1994
-Miramichi Sports Hall of Fame 2013
-NB Interscholastic Athletic Association Award of Distinction for his dedication and contributions to sport in NB 1984
-Basketball of NB Award of Merit 1988
-NBTA Centennial Award 1988
-Rotary Club of Bathurst Paul Harris Fellowship Award 2007.
Lorne did not limit his teaching to the classroom. In the Bathurst community he also coached soccer, basketball, volleyball and track and field. He organized the Red Cross Swimming program, began the mini-basketball program, organized the 1986 Summer Games for the Disabled and was a member of the 2003 Canada Winter Games Committee.
He has recently been honored by his community and peers by the announcement that the BathurstHigh School Gymnasium will bear his name.
Lorne is survived by his eight children: Leigh (Debbie) of Halifax, N.S., Keith (Lorraine), Lorna Hebert (Paul), Carla Thibodeau (Doran), Craig (Louise), Holly, Lance (Barb), all of Bathurst and Trent (Yuko) of Nagoya, Japan; thirteen grandchildren: Jayme (Devin), Jennifer (Dan), Jasmin (Jason), Zachary, Sebastian, Tristan (Brittany), Tierney, Gillian (Cody), Hillary, Jason (Shannon), Krista, Joshua and Hana; five great-grandchildren: Henry, Luke, Nathalie, Wren and Brody; one sister, Rita Kerr (Bill) of Miramich; a special niece, Judy Breau (Jim) of Moncton; one sister-in-law, Averil Whalen and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Paryse (Verret) Whalen; two brothers: Leonard, Tom; one sister, Marie and a grandson Joshua.
The body will rest on Friday, February 27, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Elhatton's Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at 11 a.m. from HolyFamilyChurch, St. Peter Ave., Bathurst.
Donations in memory of Lorne may be made to a charity of the donors choice.
