LORNE (BUD) RONALD DION

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

• I send my sympathies to Mr. Dion’s family and friends. He was one of my favourite high school teachers and contributed to a life long love of reading. Teachers like him are a great gift. I am sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Danielle Grandmaison (Student - Westwood Collegiate graduated 1985) on: Feb 01, 2021

• Mr. Dion was one of a small handful of truly great teachers who have graced my life. His sense of humour was his defining characteristic in the classroom. His 15 minute lesson on how how to write an essay stayed with me as the most effective tool in my intellectual tool kit, dutifully passed on to my students in a 23 year career as a high school teacher myself. I will be forever grateful that I was able to thank him for being such a profound inspiration at the last reunion at John Taylor High School. - Posted by: Barbara Rogers (Former student) on: Jan 31, 2021

• Oh man........you're going to be missed. I met you at Sturgeon in 1972, and worked--and played--with you for 10 great years........both because of our age at the time, and the great people we played with. Those were the salad days of our lives, and therefore unforgettable. I remember after the dress rehearsal of some musical that Billy was in charge of..... you were going to take on a whole baseball team at the bar!! Luckily Billy and Jimmy would not let you!! but then you all invaded my one room apartment.........all I remember is the morning after. It was a very long day........ Miss you guy...........Love, Linda and sympathy to Michelle, Evan and families. - Posted by: LINDA MCEWEN (friend) on: Jan 31, 2021

• Sorry for your loss. Richard Edwards and I remember him as a nice person. - Posted by: Joyce Lancaster (went to Sturgeon Creek) on: Jan 30, 2021

• Goodbye, my friend, one of the funniest guys I ever knew. - Posted by: Gary Robson (friend and colleague) on: Jan 30, 2021

• I had Mr. Dion as my home room teacher in grade 8 at Golden Gate in 1995, I often thought of him. He gave the class a very heartfelt talk about the importance of Remembrance Day, of the older soldiers who are passing on and how we owe them so much. It has always stayed with me. My deepest sympathy to his family. - Posted by: Kenny Normand (Former Student) on: Jan 30, 2021

• Heartfelt condolences to Michele, Rob, Evan and Sheila and families on the passing of their father and best friend. I worked with Bud's wife Carole at CGA from 1975 until her retirement and over the three decades was inspired by the lifelong partnership that was born in Lee River. The CGA staff was another family for them both and Bud coined many a poem for our staff functions. It was only natural that Michele was called upon to join the staff on a part time basis when things got busy. And, Rob was a committed addition to the CGA family. Together we watched our families grow and follow the natural course that we came to accept and appreciate. Thanks Bud, travel safe! - Posted by: Len Hampson (Friend) on: Jan 30, 2021

• Mr. Dion was one of my favourite teachers. As he was a favourite of many students in his career. He always went above and beyond to build relationships and have important life altering discussions with his students. I will always remember Lorne for his crazy sense of humour, his quick wit, his love of knowledge, and for encouraging others to always dream big, and never letting people interfere with doing what’s right. These are some of the important lessons he taught us. - Posted by: Jane Couch (Former student ) on: Jan 30, 2021

• It's somewhat ironic, but also appropriate that I'm sitting here struggling with trying to compose a tribute post for my high school English teacher. Such a teacher was Mr. Dion that you always wanted to do your best work for him. Unfortunately, I became an accountant rather than a writer, so I'm sure this will be lacking the compositional structure and flair that he tried valiantly to teach me. Probably the biggest lesson I learned from Mr. Dion was not to take life too seriously, but always be ready to work when need be and always make your best effort. His English 300 class was a masterclass in so much more than the curriculum. Besides drilling us with grammar and literature lessons, he would also encourage and participate in our goofiness. But, make no mistake, you always knew when it was time to work. Some of my lasting memories of Mr. Dion are the class picture he created of us that graced the center page of our yearbook; having him tell me in the first class that he had dated my Mom (he hadn't, but he knew her socially through one of her friends) and finding out that he had told the same tale to my older sister: and being the brunt of a joke that he had included in part of his hilarious slide show at our grad dinner. The common thread is that while he made his best efforts to teach me English (and in some ways was kind of successful), he mostly taught me to enjoy life whenever you get the chance and in whatever setting you may find yourself. I will make sure to mention to my Mom that, sadly, her former boyfriend has passed. Condolences to his immediate and extended family during this trying time. - Posted by: Jim Beatty (Former Student (SCRSS class of 1979)) on: Jan 30, 2021