Mayor of Foremost will be missed by greater community, village says

By Anna Smith
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Village of Foremost marked the sudden passing its mayor and longtime community member Lorne Buis in a statement released March 4.

Buis was a man who deeply loved his community, something remarked on by many who knew him. Nathan Ogden, a neighbour of Buis for six years and a fellow volunteer for much longer, remarked that he was involved in “everything.”

“I remember, we get snow storms from time to time, and he was always there with his Bobcat helping clean everybody’s driveway out on our street,” said Ogden. “Just another way he was always helping out.”

Buis was a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years, and a member of the Village of Foremost council for 22.

“(Buis) provided hours of his time to serving the community of Foremost. He has given his time to many boards and committees and has travelled many miles to discuss issues with members of government, in an effort to better our community,” said the Village of Foremost. “He has always been supportive of the administration and staff and ready and willing to assist in any way possible.”

Stacey Barrows, Reeve of the County of 40 Mile No. 8, expressed that Buis was a comforting presence when her family had needed help following her son’s injury during a rodeo event, or any occasion where help was needed, be it in an ambulance or simply calling to ask questions.

“I’m still having a hard time today even wrapping my head around it, that he won’t be there to chat with,” said Barrows. “Our community’s been hit hard with these recent losses. Lorne was easy to work with, and I respected him greatly. He was always there to help however he could.

“His loss left a hole. He’ll be missed.”

The sentiment was echoed by the village, which said “Lorne loved the community of Foremost and wanted nothing but the best for it, he will be missed every day and will leave a huge space that will never be filled.”

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