FULLER, Lorne Trenholme

FULLER,Lorne Trenholme

January 19, 1930 – July 11, 2023

With love and respect, we announce the peaceful passing of Lorne Fuller. 

Lorne was born near Indus, AB, to parents Bob (Robert) and Annie Fuller on January 19, 1930. His parents could not make it to town that night because of a blizzard, so Lorne was born in his family home on the same property where he would go on to raise his own family. His kids later knew his childhood home where he was born as their car garage. 

At 16, Lorne drove his 1922 Ford Model T coupe to the one-room Springland school for the last time, announcing that he knew more than the teacher. He then worked on the family farm for a while before heading south to help build the St. Mary Reservoir at Spring Coulee, AB. When that was less fun than farming, he returned home to resume his farming career with his dad.

Lorne met his wife Mildred through mutual friends and they married in 1951. They had two girls Pat (Jim) Jorawsky and Donna Fuller (Steve Sorrenti). Lorne and Mille farmed with Pat and Jim until 1989 when they sold their land and moved to the Longview area to ranch.

He was sadly predeceased by Millie in 2020 and his three siblings and their spouses, Don Stewart (Margaret) Stan Fuller (Joyce), and Hazel Wells.

Lorne was a great member of Indus and the surrounding communities. He was part of the committee that helped repurpose the Bill Herron Arena and move it to Indus to become the first indoor arena for the area. He enjoyed curling and would haul water from Calgary to the Indus curling rink cistern for the ice-making.

Lorne was also a dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge, originally in Strathmore, before transferring to Cornerstone Lodge No.19 in High River. In 2022 he was awarded the 50-year Jewel and 60-year Bar. He was also a member of the Southern Alberta Pioneer Association and Southern Alberta Pioneer Auto Club.

His other community service included being an ‘Uncle at Large’ mentoring two separate boys in the 70’s as well as serving on committees for the Friends of the Bar U Ranch NHS, Little New York Days, Longview Rodeo and Longview Campground. He volunteered for the Longview Fire Department and spent many hours rope-making for the kids at Aggie Days, Bar U special events and for the Calgary Stampede education program at the OH Ranch. He was also beloved by the local kids in Longview, serving as their go-to bike repair shop, toymaker, and car mechanic as they got older.

Lorne had a passion for antiques and restored seven Fords in his lifetime, from a 1913 Model T to a 1961 Unibody truck. He would travel as far as Portland to pick up parts from swap meets. His iconic cars made frequent appearances at Indus Days, Little New York Days Parade, family weddings, and even a few movies.

Lorne and Mille enjoyed camping and even did a couple of caravans across Mexico. They also took trips to Hawaii, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and of course Disneyland with the girls. When Millie could not travel as far, Lorne took Pat and Donna on two big trips. First, Kenya and Egypt, and a few years later, China. He was a huge Calgary Stampeders football fan and had season tickets for many years. 

Lorne was an avid reciter of cowboy poetry and would spin tales at many local events. Always musical, Lorne could also often be found with a musical instrument in hand. He loved to play the banjo the most but also enjoyed the mandolin, guitar, piano, harmonica, accordion, and even had an autoharp. Lorne is also remembered as a member of the musical group The Highwood Hillbillies, who entertained seniors for 25 years at the Rising Sun Long Term Care in Black Diamond, the very place he spent his final days. 

He is survived by his two daughters, four grandchildren, Dawn (Sean) Farrell, Dusty (Kim) Jorawsky, Austin Campbell, Phoebe Fuller, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Noel Grisdale and the staff at Rising Sun Long Term Care and Snodgrass Funeral Homes for their care. There will be a celebration of life in late September.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to one of his favorite Longview volunteer groups, Little New York Days, Box 479, Longview, Ab. T0L 1H0