Obituary of Lorence Venance

Lorence Arthur Venance

March 26, 1928 - February 7, 2022

Peacefully at home on February 7, 2022. Loving husband and survived by his wife of 67 years, Lee (Gawryluk). Dear old dad to Shannon (Maura Purdon), Yvonne (Barry Relf), Michelle (late James Fullard), Katherine (Michael Hamilton), Maureen, and David (Michelle Exner). Grandpa to Natalie (David Small), Danielle, Benjamin, and Brook.   GG-pa to Logan and Russell. Lorence is also survived by his sister Irene, and brothers Elmer and Oliver. Pre-deceased by his parents Noe Emile and Anna (Frerichs) Venance, brothers Joseph, Louis and sister Elaine. His constant feline companion Fuzzy will also miss him terribly- the rest of us will be watching our legs.

Lorence was born in Lloydminster, SK and grew up on the family farm. He attended a one-room rural school Crosslynde - and did in fact walk 5 miles to get there! It was while teaching at Dewberry, AB that he met his future wife Lee, also a teacher. They married in August 1954 in Edmonton, AB. In 1955, he joined National Revenue Taxation. Lorence studied at night to obtain his Registered Industrial Accounting certificate from the University of Alberta in 1963. His career in the public service moved the family across Canada from Edmonton AB, Whitehorse YT, Sydney NS and finally settling in Ottawa ON in 1973.

Always generous with his time, he volunteered for years as a Boy Scout leader, coaching hockey and softball. A dedicated family man, he loved taking the kids on camping trips; he was a very involved father, grandfather and GG-pa.

As a numbers man, he enjoyed challenging sudoku puzzles, playing cribbage, card games and dice with anyone who didn’t mind losing. Lorence was an avid curler at the Nepean Sportsplex, was light on his feet twirling Lee around the dance floor on Old Time Fiddler Saturday evenings and had an amazing golf game - a regular at Richmond Centennial into his late eighties.

Although not much of a traveller, after retirement he worked briefly with the World Bank in Suriname, enjoyed cruises with Lee and the family to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mediterranean, and at 68 fulfilled a dream of hiking the Chilkoot Trail.

Our thanks to his primary care physician Dr. Gloria Manzig and his wonderful care team over his final years. While too numerous to count, special appreciation goes to Wei Wei (Carefor) and Kristen and Crystal (Paramed).

A Celebration of Life will be held on a future date. For those wishing to do so, donations in honour of Lorence can be made to Rideau Waterway Land Trust