Steveston lost one of its constants last Thursday with the passing of Ted Lorenz.
A former Richmond Fire Chief, Lorenz also spent almost his entire life volunteering in the historical fishing village community and was among the driving forces behind the establishment of the Steveston Community
Centre, the Steveston Martial Arts Centre, and presided over countless Steveston Salmon Festivals.
“His fingerprints are everywhere around this community,” said Janice Froese, executive director of the Steveston Community Society. “Losing him is a very big loss.”
Froese said Lorenz, 81, was not only a great historical resource as a past community society president, but was always a keen volunteer who spent countless hours giving of himself to better Steveston.
“He was also a real gentleman,” added Beth Ovenden, current president of the Stevston Community Society.
“Ted was that go-to guy, as well, whenever there was anything that needed done. He seemed to be involved in everything that was going on. He was a great mentor for me, too. It’s a tremendous loss.”
Lorenz was also one who took a broad-minded approach to bettering the community, said Jim Kojima, a past president of the Steveston Community Society.
“You look at his support of the Steveston Martial Arts Centre,” Kojima said, adding there were thoughts the project could stir up a backlash in the community given the internment of Japanese-Canadians during the
Second World War. “But Ted supported it, and it became a reality. He was very appreciative of the Japanese community in Steveston.”
While Lorenz was a key community figure, he always had time for his family, said Loren Slye, a former colleague with Richmond Fire Rescue and fellow community volunteer.
“Ted had three pillars in his life,” Slye said. “There was his family, the community and then the fire department. And for him, family came first.”
Slye added the Lorenz family was one of three who believed in their community so much that they mortgaged their homes in the 1950s to help establish the community centre.
A celebration of Lorenz’s life is scheduled for noon on March 1 at the Steveston Community Centre’s Net Shed (indoor tennis courts).
