Lorne Clare

Lorne Clare was born in New Westminster on June 6th, 1930 and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eileen, and his two daughters, Kelly Rebecca (Tom) Selkirk and Patricia Dawne Clare (Peter Wilcox). Lorne practiced law in New Westminster for 23 years and was appointed and sat as a BC Provincial Court Judge for another 23 years.

Lorne started with the Coquitlam Search and Rescue team, hoping to be a resource member. He successfully completed the BSAR (Basic Search and Rescue) course and became an active member for well over 5 years. The group was more informal at the time, and Lorne was instrumental in creating and registering the Coquitlam Search and Rescue Society as a non-profit society. This lead to formal society meetings, our registered charitable status, and the eventual fund raising that has made Coquitlam Search and Rescue one of the top search groups in Canada.

Lorne enjoyed boat operations and handling communications in searches. Although he was not required, Lorne actively participated in training with our group. He attended many of the early Mountain Rescue training sessions. Once, while practising self arrest with an ice axe on Mount Seymour, I asked him why he had joined SAR. He claimed he liked giving back to the community. That same day, he excused himself early, stating that he had a family dinner to get back to. Unbeknownst to us, on his way home he drove himself directly to the hospital with his first heart attack. His obituary claims “the thrill was worth it!”

Going back many years, after a climbing trip in Nepal, I met with Lorne at the family home at Christmas time. Lorne, seeing my outdoor enthusiasm, immediately recruited me to join Coquitlam Search and Rescue… that was over 20 years ago. It has become my passion and I have enjoyed every moment since.

The Coquitlam Search and Rescue Society recognized Lorne as a lifetime member for his important contributions to the team, many years ago. Now, at his passing, I again say personally, as a representative of Coquitlam SAR and on behalf of all the people we have rescued and saved since you formed the society; Thank-you Lorne!

We hold your memory in honor.

Ray Nordstrand

Search Manager