Obituary of Lorne Lilley

LILLEY: On July 5, 2014 in extra innings, Lorne Lilley was pulled from the game. Lorne was born in 1934, and grew up in his home town of Rapid City. Lorne married Joanne Ironside in 1960, and together had three children, Sharon, Susan and Robert and two grandsons, Dustin and Dallas. Lorne started working for the creamery in Rapid City. He continued his career in Melita, eventually taking a job with Modern Dairies in Brandon, where he continued until they closed. Lorne finished off his working life employed with Heritage Co-op until his retirement. It was during his retirement when he took up lawn bowling. He took great pride in competing at both the local and provincial levels. Lorne's love of baseball began at an early age in Rapid City and continued on all of his life as a player and coach. In 1958, through hard work and dedication to the game, he was awarded the opportunity to attend Chicago Cubs Ball Camp in Mesa, Arizona. This rewarding experience not only enriched his game, but later on his coaching skills throughout minor, intermediate and senior league ball. He was extremely proud to have been inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. Hockey was also a big part of Lorne's love of sport, again as both a player and coach. Believing that all kids should have the opportunity to play, he was a strong advocate for hockey at the community centre level. Lorne coached for several years at the East End Community Centre, where his son Rob played. He loved watching his kids play sports and later on his grandsons. Lorne also enjoyed broomball, bowling and ice fishing. Throughout his life, family remained most important to him. He will be greatly missed by his wife Joanne, children Sharon, Susan (Wayne) and Robert, grandsons Dustin (Cory) and Dallas (Jessica). He is also survived by cousins Alva, Mulvey and Vernon. Lorne was predeceased by his mother Marie Rolfe, grandfather, stepfather William (Pop) Rolfe and his two aunts and uncles, Agnes and Gordon Kroft, Laura and Manus Ewing and cousin, Vanetta Struthers. The family invites you to join them at the East End Community Centre to share a memory and a Coke, on Friday, July 11, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A private interment will take place at a later date. Donations can be made to the Palliative Care Ward at the Assiniboine Centre.