Donald Marvin Lorch

In Loving Memory of

Donald M. Lorch

1928 – 2014

In the early morning hours of Saturday, February 8, 2014, Donald Marvin Lorch passed away after a lengthy battle with lung disease while being attended by staff members at Benito Health Centre. Don was 85 years old.

Don was born June 17, 1928, a son of Ford and Lucy (nee Clark) Lorch of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. He was their youngest child and a brother to Avis and Edward, all deceased.

Don’s earliest years were spent under the influence of the Depression and the impending onset of WW II. Portage La Prairie was a training base and a hub of activity. He shared boyhood memories of hiding in bushes spying on soldiers practicing marching skills, planes landing and tanks rolling down main streets. While the war raged on afar, his life was comprised of early mornings at Portage Creamery and cleaning horse barns in exchange for pocket money, fresh ice cream and horse riding privileges. When the war ended and the soldiers returned home he saw the condition of “those boys” whom he had spied upon and realized just how lucky he was. He thought it might be best to leave and leave the local jobs to those returning home from overseas. So he planned and set out on his own.

Don was hired by CNR Stores and began travelling from post to post. He touched down in Dauphin, Melville and Regina for months at a time. His last stop was at The Pas where he met and married Jean McGinnis in 1956. They set up housekeeping, built their home and had their two children Burna and Glenn.

Don worked hard each and every day to provide for his family. He wanted his children to have an education and opportunity greater than his own.

Don stayed with CNR for twenty years and then decided he wanted a change, but was not sure quite what it was. Being out of a job was unacceptable to him, so while he made up his mind what direction to take, he drove school bus for a couple of years. He was popular with the kids, always had a joke or quick retort for the trouble makers. He was always willing to take those out of town weekend trips with the local high school athletic teams or the hockey teams. The kids liked driver Don and he enjoyed watching them compete. He was never the “drop and leave you” kind of guy and they appreciated that.

When Manfor Pulp and Paper Mill started up in The Pas, Don began the last chapter of his work career in the scale shack. He enjoyed meeting the different truck drivers and listening to their tales and stories. He became life friends with some.

Don retired in 1988, and he and Jean moved to their acreage north of Roblin. He spent hours on his land building their house, doing all the landscaping, planting his trees and looking after the garden. We think he only wanted the acreage so he could get his tractor “LITTLE JOHNNY” and have room for his many fur friends.

In September 2010, Don and Jean moved to Maple Manor in Roblin and then on December 3, 2013 Don was admitted to Benito Health Centre.

Don loved all animals, and no doubt many who have been waiting years for him will meet him at the Rainbow Bridge.

Don was a member of the Elks and the Royal Canadian Legion, and liked curling and watching sports, but most of all he was a wealth of information. He was well informed and up to date on local and world news. If you were considering buying something he could tell you the consumer report rating on almost any product being sold. Had he played board games, he would have cleaned up on any kind of trivia contest. Don loved to learn about different countries and cultures, for his secret desire was to travel.

Don is survived by: his wife of 57 years Jean Lorch of Roblin; his son Glenn Lorch of The Pas; his daughter Burna Lorch (Paul Safonovs) of Winnipeg; his grandchildren; Breanne of Winnipeg and Ryan of Calgary.  He is also survived by numerous nieces,  nephews and extended family.

Don’s Funeral Service was held on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 2:00 PM from Knox United Church in Roblin with Reverend Mark Hammond officiating.  Glenn Lorch was the Urn Bearer. Mrs, Betty Wenner led Knox United Church Choir and congregation in singing the hymns “I Come To The Garden Alone” and “Amazing Grace” Selected music was “Hallelujah” by K.D. Lang. Following the service a reception was hosted by the United Church Lunch Committee in the church hall.

The Interment will be held at a later date at Mountview Cemetery, Silverwood, Manitoba.

Thank you is extended to Dr. Aziz, Roblin Health Centre Staff, Joanne Keast and his Home Care Nursing Team, and Benito Health Centre for care and compassion shown Don throughout the years.

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

nairn-chyzfuneralhome.com