Major Joseph Arthur DAVID Lorente passed on Saturday 2 January 2021.
Read the obituary here.
As Judy Neville wrote in tribute:
"Dave lit a huge torch and although it is dim today, I know Dave will want us all to keep it glowing and continue collecting, preserving and sharing the British Home Children stories and history."
Dave and his wife Kay were named to the BIFHSGO Hall of Fame in 2000. The citation reads:
"BIFHSGO acknowledged the influence and encouragement of Dave and Kay Lorente in initiating the Society's indexation projects arising from their outstanding advocacy role on behalf of Home Children and their families in Canada.
As the 1991 founders of Home Children Canada, they have assisted countless Canadian Home Children families and/or their descendants to access their personal records.They have also been active in raising national and international consciousness through lectures, reunions, the placement of plaques, and the compiling of Canadian Home Children's family histories.
In June 2003, the Lorentes signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing that BIFHSGO would take over their work of responding to requests for locating Home Children."
2 comments:
I remember Dave Lorente well. I corresponded with him for years, and at an OGS annual convention held in Chatham Ontario in the 90's. The room was packed with people while Lorente spoke to those gathered about the project. He then introduced about four older audience members, all of whom were original British Home children. One was in the row in front of me. Tears among the audience was noted.
I took the printed memorabilia about this over to Dorset UK and gave a short address about the project in Canada to the assembled and delivered a packet of material from the Conference. To my memory, not one of the Dorset FHS were at all aware of 'Home Children'.
Thank you David Lorente for all your work, for your insight. RIP
Gail B
Dave's legacy will live on as we all continue to collect, preserve and share the British Home Child stories and history.
RIP my friend.
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