October 12, 1930- April 15, 2026
William Lorne Peter Otway quietly passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2026, at the age of 95.
Lorne was born on October 12, 1930, in Fort William as the youngest of four siblings. He had a joyful childhood with special memories of yearly camping trips to Silver Islet and fishing outings with his dad. He served as head altar boy at St. Patrick’s Cathedral where his father sang tenor solos in the choir. Losing his father suddenly at just fourteen left a lasting impact on him. He stayed devoted to caring for his mother until she died at age 103.
After finishing school at St. Patrick’s High School, Lorne worked in various roles at the Steep Rock Iron mine in Atikokan. He always had a keen interest in the huge mining equipment and enjoyed watching restoration videos that reminded him of those days. Later he came back to Lakehead where he met Norma Weir – who would become his wife of 65 years. Together they raised four busy kids and worked hard to give them plenty of chances growing up.
He spent the rest of his career with Public Works Canada, overseeing construction and upkeep of Thunder Bay harbour. He used to joke that he’d walked every single foot along the breakwall there. His job also took him across Northwestern Ontario checking on federal docks and waterways to make sure they were safe – which gave him a rare look into life in some pretty remote places around the province.
Over time, Lorne and Norma shared many good moments with close friends from high school and another big group known as the Motley Crew. There were endless parties and card games plus cross-country ski trips and Grey Cup outings too. Those friendships lasted for decades.
Lorne loved curling (he kept playing well into his eighties at Port Arthur Curling Club). When he retired he picked up golf as well – often downplaying how well he played while grumbling about putting or chipping but still bragging about scoring a hole-in-one early on much to the annoyance of his golfing buddies! Proudly, he even played golf on his ninetieth birthday.
He looked forward every winter to heading down to Florida and enjoyed traveling around the Caribbean and Europe too. As longtime members of Corpus Christi parish, both he and Norma volunteered for years with St. Vincent de Paul Society delivering hampers to families who needed help most. But more than anything else, he loved spending time with family, tending his garden and looking after their home for over six decades.
Lorne was predeceased by his parents William and Isabel Otway; sisters Dorothy Otway, Isabelle de Pfyffer, Marjorie Unger; along with nephew Michael de Pfyffer. He leaves behind wife Norma; children Robert, Richard, Barbara Martineau (Charles), Linda Colvin (Gerald); grandchildren Christopher Martineau, Claire Martineau; Mitchell Colvin, Gregory Colvin, Alexander Colvin; plus nephews John de Pfyffer, James de Pfyffer Joel de Pfyffer and Bill Unger.
A Funeral Mass will take place Friday May 8th at 10:30 am at Corpus Christi Church celebrated by Father Terry Sawchuk with visitation beforehand.
The family wants to thank staff in Emergency Room at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for their kind care during difficult times. Donations made in Lorne’s name can go toward any charity you choose. You may leave condolences online via www. sargentandson. com.
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