September 23, 1937 - January 30, 2024
In Loving Memory
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend as he boarded his last flight on January 30, 2024.
Lorne is predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Marie Christensen, and sister Dola Dibblee, he leaves behind his wife of 43 years Donna Christensen, his children Stephen Christensen (Lynne), Carina Reynolds (Tim), Angela Christensen, and Anita Foster (Mike); his grandchildren Stephanie Arias (David), and Spencer O'Connor (Stephanie), his great-granddaughter Olivia O'Connor, his nephew Mike Dibblee (Sharon), and niece Patricia Noble (Harry).
An accomplished and decorated 50-year career in aviation, his flying career started in 1963 behind the controls of a Cessna 140 float plane for Island Airways in Campbell River, BC. His career progressed to DC3's then to Boeing 737s, earning his captain stripes in 1972 with Nordair.
As a commercial airline pilot, he flew extensively with the BC Government, Great Northern Airways, Nordair, Canadian Pacific Airlines, and ultimately retired from Canadian Airlines International in 1997.
Lorne was a natural leader, teacher, and mentor, turning his love for aviation to teaching flight simulators to new pilots, and contracting with Royal Airlines in Toronto in 2001 and Air North in Whitehorse from 2002 to 2011 as a training captain, training pilots on 737's.
Lorne was also a published author, community leader and local historian, having received his Lifetime Achievement award in 2020 for his community service with the Sooke Lions Club. While his accomplishments with the club were many, he was particularly proud of the work in bringing the exhibition honouring BC's policing history to the Sooke's Region Museum in 2013.
Lorne was a family man, a friend to all who knew him, a community advocate with a deep love for the sea, the sky and everything in between. To anyone who had the honour and privilege to know him, you will know that Lorne had a way of making you feel a part of his crew.
In his own words from his published biography titled Tides Turbulence, and Tailwinds, "Looking back on my long career, there is very little I would change had I the power to do so. Along the way, I learned the importance of decency and treating people with respect ... I learned the value of friendship and that, regardless of position, every person has value and will be of value to you if you allow it."
He leaves a big void in our hearts, and a lifetime full of memories unique to each of us. We love him dearly, and he will be deeply missed.
The family has planned a celebration of Lorne's life on Saturday, February 17th at the Prestige Hotel, Sooke, BC from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. We hope to see you there to share your stories and memories of such a wonderful man.
We would like to thank the kindness and support of the medical staff at Victoria General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Lorne's honour to a charity that best represents how you wish to remember him.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.
The skies are clear. Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.
I look forward to seeing you when we land.
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Service Details
11:00 AM