January 20, 1947 - January 4, 2025
After a lifetime of early rising on the farm, Lorne Thistle Sebben, again rose with the sun, to join his family during the early morning hours of January 4, 2025. Lorne was the eldest of four dashingly handsome boys. He was the proud son of James Packham Sebben, and Dorothy Margaret (nee Thistle) Sebben. Jim and Dorothy farmed in North Easthope, and raised four rambunctious farm boys. Those boys grew into hardworking, intelligent, empathetic, and good men. The Sebben brothers all continued the family legacy of farming, passing the honour down to the 6th generation today. Alongside his parents, Lorne joins his brothers; Bruce, Robert, and James A. Sebben to gracefully close their family chapter.
Lorne was an active presence in his community throughout the years. Over his lifetime he acted as chairman for the Shakespeare Optimist Club, and Deputy Reeve for the township. He was a Director of the Stratford Agricultural Society, and even hosted the 1988 Perth County Plowing Match at his farm in South Easthope. Lorne was keenly aware of the delicate balance of nature, and worked to maintain a healthy ecosystem of native plants, animals, and particularly pollinators on his land. Lorne, fully and unapologetically authentic, wouldn’t hesitate to give a niece or nephew, or even a random stranger a piece of his wisdom if he felt the need arise.
Lorne spent his younger days travelling. He had a particular fondness for, and curiosity about, South America, and that led him on many tours of the continent. He would enthusiastically share stories of his adventures, with more and more details added as we all grew older. He had a free, adventurous spirit, and even made an attempt to earn his pilot licence at one time. However, being the practical person he was, he realised flying maybe wasn’t his thing, midway through his first mid-air stall.
Lorne acquired a wealth of knowledge over his lifetime. You would wonder how he was able to retain so much random and unrelated information, making you scratch your head on where some of these things came from. He shone even brighter to his nieces and nephews as the years went on, and it was a source of pride to look up to a man who held himself with such integrity, and genuine authenticity.
Lorne was a sociable man, easily striking up conversations with people he would meet, and would remember the most minute details of his interactions with others. He could chat for hours on the phone, and you would never know where the conversation could take you, or what random bit of knowledge you would gain that day.
Remembering Lorne with the warmest love, are his nieces and nephews; Jennifer, Sandra, Jill, Lindsay, Annie, Tessa, Jimmy, Mike, Andrew, Robbie, Gary, Tommy, and Austin, and families, as well as his sisters in law, Ruby and Judy. Lorne will also be remembered by many cousins, their families, his community, and all those who have had the pleasure to cross paths with him.
Lorne will be laid to rest with his family, at God's Holy Acre, St James Anglican Church. We invite friends and family to join us at the church on January 20th, 2025, for visitation at 10:00, with service at 11:00, followed by a light luncheon. In lieu of flowers, we imagine Lorne would better appreciate donations in his honour to the St James Anglican Church God’s Holy Acre, the Feline Friends Network, and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority through the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St, Stratford, ON www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
Happy motoring.
