BARRY’S BAY – Maybe you have stopped to chat with Lorne Chippior during your morning coffee run, or maybe you were preoccupied and missed his quiet hello as you passed him on the street.
While Lorne never raised thousands of dollars for charity or was a boisterous politician, everybody knows him for his genuine positive energy that he exudes.
Lorne had humble beginnings. He was born on October 9, 1934 and grew up in Wilno with two brothers and one sister. He married Marcella in 1957 at St. Hedwig Parish, and the couple had four children, Lynn Shulist, David Chippior, Brad Chippior and Marie Finnerty.
For more than 35 years, Chippior worked at the Ministry of Natural Resources as a heavy equipment operator.
He started by working in Algonquin Provincial Park
Lorne credits his wife Marcella for raising the children during those years.
He was ecstatic when he was transferred to the Whitney area, as it meant he got to go home every night to be with his family.
Lorne retired when he was 55 years old. Since then, he has been able to enjoy gardening, woodworking, and of course, walking around town and striking up conversations with everyone he meets.
Get your October 1, 2014 edition of The Valley Gazette to read more of this story.