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Press Release Date:
15-Sept-2026 Ottawa, Canada |
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In the midst of the month of March, 1930, several captivating events would take place, some of which will leave an enduring legacy. Whilst Mahatma Gandhi continued to peacefully press his followers to achieve self-governance and independence from Britain on March 8, 1930, London stockbrokers Buckmaster and Moore would instigate investors to sell their shares in British industry and invest in diverse opportunities emerging in Canada, including farming amongst several others. This movement would commence on March 5, 1930. From the perspective of our Canadian families, the spirit of farming entrepreneurship was already in place by that time. Indeed, it is on a peaceful Saturday, March 29, 1930, that Lorne Bretzlaff would be born in the municipality of Thorne, a community hub within the Pontiac Regional County in the province of Québec, Canada. Born into a family of farmers, Lorne was the second oldest child out of a family of eight siblings. Suffering from severe episodes of asthma from birth, his parents would seek the best medical attention he could get. His father used to treat his asthma attacks with epinephrine. Lorne would be driven to the train depot in Shawville. From there, they would proceed to take the train to Ottawa to see a specialist at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. After each visit, they would stay overnight with family members before heading back home. Long journeys to the Ottawa Civic Hospital would continue for a span of ten years before he was able to be locally treated by a medical practitioner in Shawville. Regardless of being provided with a rather bleak prognosis, his parents relentlessly and diligently provided him with the best possible treatments available at the time. Being particularly sensitive to the smoke released by wood fires, winters were predominantly challenging. As of to date, he vividly remembers being confined at home doing less physically demanding household endeavours during his early childhood. It is during this time that Lorne would rapidly learn how to knit socks and winter scarfs for his siblings. Manual dexterity and creativity were instilled at an early age. Defying the odds, during adolescence, Lorne not only enthusiastically helped his parents with all farming activities but ventured for the first time to seek employment at a nearby wood processing facility. His precision and manual dexterity soon became recognised and helped him to provide an invaluable financial contribution to assist his parents in the acquisition of the family farm. As of to date, their family farm at Lady Smith is still standing. Moving away from farming as a way of living during his early adulthood, Lorne explored small business ventures to eventually commence his training and certification as an electrician. Settling in Arnprior, Lorne not only started to work as a certified electrician, but he would eventually incorporate a prominent electrical contacting business under the putative name of Lorne's Electric. Lorne's Electric would prosper under the direction of Lorne, himself, with his wife, Joanne Bretzlaff, by his side, a very successful and accomplished nurse, herself. In the 1960s, Joanne worked in various units within the Ottawa Civic Hospital and, in the 1970s, in the operating rooms in Whitby. As a charge nurse, Joanne would also spend some years in long-term care, specialising in Geriatrics before permanently moving to Arnprior to marry Lorne. Lorne's Electric would provide services to major clients, including commercial housing, retail and summer and winter resorts, to cite a few. Lorne would retire together with Joanne after the sale of Lorne's Electric in October, 1992; Lorne was 62. It is after this time period, whilst they shared their passion for Curling, Golf, Bridge and community service, that Lorne regained his interest in manual activities; this time, it would be wood carving. Apart from having overcome severe asthma attacks, Lorne successfully recovered from a major car accident, hardening of arteries and stent implantation as well as an onset of pancreatitis. Closely being taken care of by his wife, Joanne, Lorne has surpassed several recent health complications triggered by his sustained type 2 diabetes status. In 2026, Lorne turned 96, and he is eager to celebrate his centennial birthday. Since his retirement, Lorne has completed more than a hundred wooden carved pieces and artefacts, such as carved wooden clocks that are still ticking in several households. Lorne not only has been an important pillar of his own family but also of his community. Beyond his extensive volunteering, Lorne has regularly supported his local hospital in Arnprior. In recent years, he has promoted and supported local organisations, and he was appointed an Honorary Board Member of the Arnprior and McNab / Braeside Men's Shed. On September 10, 2026, Lorne was one of the recipients of the 2026 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards designated by the Province of Ontario in recognition of exceptional volunteers.
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Contact:Dr Gabriel Pulido-Cejudo Ph.D. |
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