Obituary of Lorne McNary

Lorne Thomas McNary of Bittern Lake passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at the age of 87 years. Lorne Thomas McNary was born February 8th, 1930 in rural Bittern Lake to Ervin and Inez as their only son. He spent 87 years living on the same half section of farm land. After high school he went to work for his uncle to apprentice car mechanics (Ford School) in Champion, Alberta. He then returned home to be with his family to take over the McNary family farm, after his father suffered a stroke. He married Lois at the age of 20 in 1950. Within their first year of marriage they gave birth to their first son Robert (Bob), soon after came Laurie, followed by Brian and their youngest, Glenn. Lois and Lorne have celebrated 67 years of marriage. In 1966, Lorne began working at the Stelco Pipe Mill in Camrose and worked there while farming the family land until December 1969 when he suffered a severe heart attack. After a triple by-pass surgery, Lorne was able to carry on the farming operations with help of son Brian and neighbors. Together, Lorne and Brian were the first farmers to grow a successful canola crop in the area. In the early 70s, a gas well was drilled on their property and Lorne took over the operation as the Battery Operator for the site. Tragically, Glenn was severely injured in 1982 in a motorcycle accident, and later passed away in 1984. This impacted the family greatly, brought them together and made them even stronger. Laurie married Rick (Hicks) in 1976 after returning from Europe, Brian and Brenda married in 1980, and Bob married Norma in 1985. Lorne was very fun loving, charismatic, and had a passion for music. Without any formal lessons, he taught himself the guitar, was skilled at the harmonica, learned the organ and accordion, and even dabbled with the squeeze box. For a number of years he was a member of a country and western band and loved playing at weddings. He attracted a loyal circle of friends and enjoyed many years of entertainment at the family campsite. Lorne was lucky enough to see his six grandkids grown up, graduate, and become adults and parents themselves Leigh-Anne (Stacey), Shannon (Scott), Nash (Jess), Allison (Matt), Geoff (Monica), and Kayla. His seven great-grandchildren were raised with love, ice cream treats and jujubes Mackenzie, Lexus, Jazlyn, Carson, Sydney, Malia, and Thomas. Lorne will be missed as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and neighbour. A Funeral Service was held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2017 from the Burgar Memorial Chapel with Rev. Brian Hunter officiating. Inurnment has taken place in the Camrose Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to St. Mary's Hospital Camrose.