Born in Cambridge Ontario on August 27th, 1952 Wayne spent his youth involved in his love of Model Trains and being active in School Activities and Sports, despite being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 6.
In 1966 the decision to relocate the family out west was made by his parents Mel & Audrey and the family moved to British Columbia where Mel’s side of the family had spent much of their early years as farmers & ranch hands in the Fruitvale area, fruit pickers, up and down the Okanagan corridor & while Grandpa Lucas work at the Trail Smelter.
The 1st stop was Kelowna, but shortly arriving to stay with Great Aunt Kate Hearn in what was then the Westbank, Mel was able to gain more secure employment with Kicking Horse Forest Products in Golden and the rest they say is history.
Just after the move to Golden Wayne discovered his true love of horses and with help of his father bought his one and only “Thunder” in the spring of 1968. Despite his health restrictions, over the next several years there were countless adventures for him on horseback from backcountry outfitting and guiding, weekend excursions and week-long campouts away from it all. He once quipped. “The View is always better from a Saddle.”
He developed lifelong friendships through his love of horses. From his riding partner and best friend at the time Blair Piggott, to Sam & Lorraine Palumbo and their family who welcomed Wayne with open arms and they quickly became a second family to him.
Right around this time a certain waitress at the Husky House Restaurant by the name of Denise Robinson caught his eye and they soon started dating. When things started to get serious, he moved onto more stable employment with Parky’s Mobile Home Service, all the while his love for horses never abated.
Just when it seemed the stars were aligning for Wayne and he still had his whole life ahead of him. Strategy struck in 1977 and Wayne was seriously injured in a car accident that resulted in permanent disabilities that would require special care and assistance for the rest of his life.
Through WCB and the Public Trustee, Wayne was able to be accepted to a new pilot project facility funded in part by UBC called “Cobble Hill” in Duncan, BC where they specialized in treatment for patients with injuries and disabilities like his.
True to form Wayne did not let this new setback stand in his way and during his time at Cobble Hill won 3 Silver Medals at the BC Special Games in the Equestrian events. Through their program He also was able experience trips to places like Mexico and Disneyland just to name a few. In 1998 Wayne was moved into Private Care with Michelle Wagner one of his full time Caretakers at Cobble Hill and remained her and her family until his passing.
Wayne is predeceased by his Mother Audrey (Golden) and his Father Mel (Cambridge), his Aunt Elsie & Uncle Rube Kay (Cambridge), Aunt Audrey, Uncle Walt & Cousin Catherine Stevens (Etobicoke), Uncle Roy & Aunt Bernice Holtzhauer (Northbrook), Parental Grand Parents Stan & Lillian Lucas (Cambridge) & Maternal Grand Parents Norm Holtzhauer (Golden) & Nora Holtzhauer (Northbrook).
Most notably, he is survived by his brother Grant of Edmonton, AB, Cousins Linda Smith-Earle of Elora, ON & Andrea Stevens-Lavigne of Mississauga, ON as well as, several other family members from both sides.
Due to the existing Covid 19 Pandemic Protocols, Pending Travel Restrictions and Gathering Limitations, Wayne’s immediate family has decided to withhold having a service and memorial until such time all of them can be together to celebrate his life.
In lieu of Flowers, Wayne had requested any donations wishing to be made please go to either of the following. The Canadian Diabetes Association or The BC Brain Injury Association.
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