Clarence Blair “Bud” Loree, formerly of Justice, Manitoba, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2020 at Rideau Park Personal Care Home, Brandon.

Blair was born July 23, 1929 in Fergus, Ontario to Ernest and Gladys (nee Henderson) Loree. Blair was the youngest of six children and was the fifth generation to live on the 50 acres deeded from the Crown in 1854. After growing up in the depression, like his peers, Blair was always mindful of an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. His formal education ended at age 15 years when he entered the workforce as jobs were plentiful during the war years. He had a few different jobs before he settled into the automotive industry, becoming a certified front-end alignment specialist.

Blair came west in 1949 and gained employment at the Mercury dealership in Brandon. He met Betty Crozier, whose sister Helen was dating his brother James. The two couples were married March 31, 1950. Blair started farming with his father-in-law near Justice and in 1952, purchased land of his own. In 1961, they purchased more land and they moved to a farmyard near the Justice Mennonite Church. Blair and Betty have five children.

Blair was active in many community activities: he served on Norman Community Club, Justice Community Club, Justice Curling Club, Whitemud Watershed Association, Moore Park Elevator Board and sub district council, was a Boy Scout leader, member of Toastmasters 293 and the National Farmers Union. He also was a founding member of both the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame and the Brandon Genealogical Society. For many years Blair was a member of the Progressive Conservative Party and was a delegate for several provincial and national conventions. He was a scrutineer at various elections and in 1982, he served as Returning Officer for the Minnedosa constituency in the provincial election. He was invited to dine at a banquet attended by Queen Elizabeth II in 1984. In 1992, Blair was honoured to receive the Canada 125 medal.

Blair took an interest in Sparling Cemetery and encouraged other community members to participate in annual clean ups and weekly grass cutting. He looked after the cemetery map for many years and supervised interments. Many of the cemetery improvements are a direct result of his vision and guidance. While helping compile family histories for the Elton Municipal family history book to celebrate Manitoba’s centennial, Blair became interested in genealogy. Over the next few years, he traced the Loree family back to a John Loree appearing in a 1686 census of Southold, Long Island, New York. Thousands of descendants were connected by research and correspondence over many years. The first family reunion took place in Justice in 1978, and they continue every three years to this day. Reunions have been held at several locations significant to the family history. He was active in organizing Crozier reunions on Betty’s side of the family as well.

Blair was an avid reader, had an exceptional recall of events, and had a gift for storytelling. He was involved with the program “Voices of Yesteryear” where he interviewed local pioneers to preserve their stories.

Blair is survived by his wife Betty; children Dawn (Lee) Robins, Darrell (Gaye nee Gill), Sherry (Dixon) Baker, Iva (Ray) Sharp and Deanna (Greg) Stock; grandchildren Pam Robins (Bart Witherspoon),Tanya (Steven) Enns, Kortney (Charles) Teale, Doug Loree (Tracey Cyca), Lindsay Loree, Stacy (Aaron) Glawson, Jeremy Baker, Jill (Lee) Elvers, Allison (Nick) LeBlond, Anna Sharp (Alberto Garcia Mendez), Kendra (Kyle) Mazer, Aimee (Kevin) Andre, Aaron Stock and Tessa (Clayton) Yourk; great grandchildren Neveah Witherspoon, Connor, Kaden and Kallie Enns, Ethan and Willow Teale, Sienna and Jaslyn Cyca-Loree, Chloe Glawson, Mitra Elvers, Kaylee, Kaitlyn and Kennedy Mazer, Avaya Stock; brother James and sister-in-law Helen; and ten nieces and nephews.

Blair was predeceased by his parents, parents-in-law Waldron and Ettie Crozier, siblings Frank, Dorothy, Florence, Bill and their spouses, grandson Richard Baker and great grandson Terry Mazer.

Blair spent his last years as a resident of Rideau Park Personal Care Home. His family would like to thank the caring and compassionate nursing and support staff for his excellent care while he resided there and for the kindness shown both to him and his family during his final days.

The Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Brookdale Community Hall, Brookdale Manitoba. Interment will be at Sparling Cemetery at a later date. Donations in memory of Blair may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.