Olive Lorna Pinch

George and Lorna Pinch passed away in Vancouver, BC within weeks of one another: George (86) on January 7 and Lorna (84) on February 15, 2022.

George and Lorna were married in 1957. Having met in Saskatoon as teenagers, the couple married at ages 19 and 21. They had their first child a year later in Victoria BC.

The Canadian Navy sponsored George’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina from where he graduated in 1958.

During the next decade, the couple lived in Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver where they bought their house on West 22nd Avenue and raised their 5 children. George and Lorna lived in the Dunbar house for the rest of their lives. They developed a strong sense of community and were loved and respected by their neighbours and many friends.

George spent 22 years as an Engineer with the PowerSmart program at BC Hydro. He retired in 2001. In the 20 years of retirement, George was never bored. His passions for gardening and woodworking kept him entertained.

He was known for years as the neighbourhood veggie supplier and laneway scrounge and recycler. In his later years, he could often be found walking up and down the laneways picking up cans and bottles, the proceeds of which he donated to charity. His community garden plot on East Blvd was a very important part of his life. He worked that land for about 40 years and provided flowers and food to friends and strangers alike.

Lorna never met a person she wasn’t curious about. She was interested in knowing what “made people tick” and about their family and hobbies. Everyone was a friend or even an honorary son or daughter. Lorna was always willing to help someone out of a tight spot and she opened her heart and home to many people over the years. Lorna spent hours on the phone keeping in touch with everyone and was known for calling people out of the blue with whom she’d lost touch.

For more than two decades, the couple hosted meetings for the Dunbar Residents’ Association, Dunbar Housing Trust, Vancouver Home Builders Technical Committee, and Dunbar Community Patrollers, where George was one of the founding members and still holds the record for the most patrol hours.

George and Lorna are survived by their children Heather, Kathleen (Tom), Brian (Julia) and Nancy (Serge). Their daughter Bonnie sadly passed away in 2012. They adored their 11 grandchildren Holly, Caleb, Olivia, Jane, Benjamin, Amanda, Sophie, Hanna, Marlayna, Angela and April as well as their friend and caregiver Karl. Sadly, they were unable to meet their first great grandson, Felix Thomas (Jane) who was born on January 14th.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 26 at 3:00 pm at Dunbar Heights Baptist Church at 17th and Crown in Vancouver. The family is asking guests to bring a small plant, seedling or veggie starter to decorate the church and to take one at the end to plant and nurture in George and Lorna’s memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vancouver Children’s Hospital or the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.