Cunningham, Lorne
Cunningham, Lorne Guy
February 9, 1927 - October 12, 2023Lorne Guy Cunningham, 96, passed away peacefully at Brampton Civic Hospital on October 12, 2023, with his family at his bedside. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Eileen (nee MacDonald), his devoted children Jeff (Jan), Jane (Ted), and Jill (Brian), his cherished grandchildren Amy & Adam (Casey), Chad (Samantha) & Brett (Elizabeth), Matthew & Daniel, and several great-grandchildren.
Lorne was born on February 9, 1927 on the family farm in the small town of Williamsburg, near Ottawa, Ontario. He was the last baby delivered by Dr. Mahlon Locke, who was a famous physician known for healing thousands of people a day simply by manipulating their feet with his thumbs. His patients included Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis B. Mayer, Lady Eaton, and Mackenzie King. ‘Doc Locke’ remained a great source of pride and admiration for Lorne throughout his life.
Lorne’s first career was as a ‘First Class’ Motion Picture Projectionist. At the age of 23, he and his new bride relocated to Brampton, Ontario, where he worked six nights a week at the nearby Woodbridge Theatre. Deciding he needed a day job as well, he learned how to service TVs and Radios. After graduating from a night course at Radio College of Canada, he and a partner opened Radio Service Centre on George Street, where he sold the very first colour television in Brampton. As the business flourished, he went on to build his own very successful store on Queen Street.
Lorne was well known for his love of music and his proficiency at playing guitar. Over the years, he played with several bands, including the ‘Chuck Wagon Ramblers’, the ‘Modernaires’, and the ‘Generation Gap’. His greatest source of pride was his 1957 prototype Fender Jazzmaster guitar, which he played while backing up or opening for several music artists at Toronto’s Palace Pier back in the ‘50s, including Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, Jim Reeves, Hank Snow, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charley Pride.
Lorne and Eileen were avid golfers and active members of North Halton Golf & Country Club, both continuing to play into their 90’s. They made many cherished friends there over the years. In the winter months, they became Snowbirds, and played golf (and guitar) in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Lorne’s family would like to thank the staff at Brampton Civic Hospital, in both Emergency and General Medicine, for taking such good care of him in his final days. A Celebration of Life will be held on October 29 from 2 to 5 pm at The Club at North Halton, 363 Maple Avenue West, Georgetown, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated.
