We regret to advise of the death of Lorne Anthony De Paolis on 07 October 2021 at Burnaby General Hospital at the age of 96. Lorne was Second World War veteran who served in the Royal Canadian Engineers Band in the United Kingdom.
Born in Trail BC, Lorne spent 92 years there until he moved to Vancouver to be closer to his daughters. At the age of 12, he started playing the trumpet and music became his lifelong passion. An avid sportsman, he played baseball, lacrosse and hockey. Lorne played with the Trail Junior Smoke Eaters and traveled across Canada playing in the Memorial Cup 1943/44 and was scouted by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Lorne enlisted for the Second World War and embarked for Europe in May 1945, trained as a gunner in the Canadian Army. Once in the United Kingdom, he auditioned with the Royal Canadian Engineers Band and spent a year playing music in the UK and Continental Europe. Lorne also played for Queen Wilhelmina after her return to Holland in 1945.
Upon his return to Trail after the war, Lorne started his 42-year electrical career with Cominco (Teck) and played hockey with the Smoke Eaters. He played music with several bands in Trail including 80 years with The Maple Leaf Band including 17 years as Bandmaster. He played in big dance bands such as The Serenaders, The Novatones and SwingSations, The Rossland Light Opera Players for 50 years, and several small groups including The Misfits. In his 80s and 90s, Lorne and his friends played in “old folks homes” where they always said the band was older than the audience!
Lorne was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion and received their Meritorious Service Medal. For many years he played the Last Post every 11th of November as well as many funerals for Second World War veterans in the Trail area.
Cremation has taken place. A family gathering will take place in Trail next Spring/Summer. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Lorne’s name to either the CNIB Foundation or BC SPCA. Online Condolences can be sent to the Trail Times.
