Obituary of Lance Piper
We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of Lancelot (Lance) Piper of Port Dover at the age of 86. Active till the very end, Lance enjoyed boating, going for drives, cutting his grass (and that of neighbours), and spending time with family and friends.
Lance was raised in Amherstburg and had strong ties to our Canadian waterways. In his early teens, Lance was a carnie at Boblo Island Amusement Park. He then worked on the barges for a few years with Great Lakes Construction deepening the Detroit River for the seaway construction. He temporarily worked for Calvert Distillery and Brunner Mond (later called Allied Chemical). In 1960 he landed a job with Essex County Registry Office in Windsor. This led to Ontario Police College and work with the OPP from 1961-1964 as a Police Constable at the Chatham and Wheatley detachments. He enjoyed policing, but it did not provide the income he wanted as he was considering marriage. Lance got into sales and landed a job in Delhi in 1964 at General Instrument. The next year he married Mira in 1965. Lance spent most of his career working his way up through the company, in different divisions, and ending as Vice President of Cometic Technology.
Most of all, Lance loved Port Dover and living on Black Creek! He had various powerboats through the years, all named Sandpiper, with the exception of Bedlam, the sailboat, and a steel runabout named Fishtales. He and Mira were members of the Port Dover Yacht Club for over 30 years. In the late 90’s, race night was a lot of fun for the Pipers! Lance, Debbie and Keven were all on sailboats racing against each other! Lance’s sons and daughter all had a history working at Bridge Yachts.
Lance is predeceased by his wife Mira (2019) of nearly 54yrs. Lance is survived by his daughter Debbie Reid (David), and sons Greg (Reagan) and Keven (Sonya), unmoored with the passing of their patriarch. He’ll be greatly missed by his grandchildren Petronella, Charlotte, Willem, Alexander, and Piper. He had so hoped to be around longer to witness their important milestones! He also leaves behind sisters-in-law Dorothy Kovach, Marion Kovach, nieces, nephews, cousins, Kumovi, and extended family. Lance was blessed in recent years with the companionship of Carlie Rosehart. Lance leaves behind a strong sense of family unity and love.
A thank you goes out to Dad’s wonderful neighbours for all of their support and friendship throughout the years!
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Port Dover Yacht Club on Sunday, November 23, from 2-5pm. A private internment will take place with family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Norfolk & Haldimand Hospice fund https://norfolkhaldimandhospice.ca/ or a charity of your choice. Online donations and/or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca
