Obituary for Hugh Lamont
Lamont, Hugh Alexander passed away peacefully on March 29, 2022, at Campbell House in 71st year. Hugh is survived by his wife of 47 years Beverley (nee Atwood). He will be remembered as the proud and loving father of Ian (Dawn) and Patti (Tyler) and grandfather of Porter and Canon. Born in Collingwood to parents Alex and Peggy Lamont, Hugh is survived by his brothers Lorne (Audrey), Jim (Debbie) and sisters Dorothy (late Tom) Evans and Bonnie (Dennis) Doll; predeceased by his brother Allan. Survived also by his brothers in law George (late Bonnie) and Doug (Anne) Atwood and sisters in law Pat MacKay and Shirley (Peter) Holt. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews.
First and foremost, Hugh was a family man. He adored his children Ian and Patti, and by extension their life partners Dawn and Tyler. Patti was born on Father’s Day, and he always said she was the best Father’s Day present ever. His grandsons Porter and Canon were the lights of his life. Hugh had the reputation, and this would be putting it mildly, of being a doting Papa. He often mused over his forty-seven-year marriage about how blessed he was to have the family he did, and how lucky he was to have the opportunity to spend so much time with them. The hardest thing for him during the pandemic was that to keep him safe, he saw very little of his son and grandchildren.
Hugh was often referred to as a musician’s musician. He had an incredible musical talent that bordered on genius. Hugh was raised in Stayner and was a member of the Stayner Pipe Band at the age of six. He first played the drum, and when his fingers grew long enough, he began learning the practice chanter. After that, he and Allan were off to Toronto to learn from the Pipe Major of the 48th Highlanders, Archie Dewar. Piping was a family affair, and the musical talent was shared by his brothers Allan and Jim, and later little sister Bonnie. Older sister Dorothy did not play the pipes, but she was the Drum Major for the band years ago. Hugh and Allan were blessed with perfect pitch, and never used a tuner on their instruments. The Ontario Legion Massed Pipes & Drums played at the Orange Bowl Parade in Florida in 1975 and 1976. Both times, Hugh and his brother Allan tuned every set of pipes for the band by ear. Hughie also played the bagpipes on Remembrance Day for 46 consecutive years until he could no longer play.
Bagpipes may have been his first love, but where Hughie really shone was on the violin. A self-taught fiddler, he not only learned Scottish/Celtic, Old Tyme, and Bluegrass fiddle styles, he mastered them. He was generous with his talent, and most of the time did not charge for playing, and never charged for teaching. He enjoyed donating his time playing the bagpipes and fiddle for Legion functions, and at area nursing homes, and as a result received the Order of Collingwood.
Hugh was involved in many other pursuits. He was a former Warden at All Saints Anglican Church. He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge which was a very important part of his life when he was well. He was a member, and past Master, of Manitou Lodge #90 in Collingwood, and a Royal Arch Mason Chapter member. He and Bev were also members of the Order Of The Eastern Star, Stayner Chapter until ill health forced him to take his demit. Hugh attended his last lodge meeting via Zoom in March.
Over the past decade Hugh struggled with numerous health challenges. He could no longer play the bagpipes because of back and neck injuries. An avid reader, he was completely blind for seven months during the pandemic until he had cataract surgery and regained vision in his right eye. A stroke made it difficult for him to remember the names of people and objects at times which was very frustrating for him. By far the most devastating blow was when the fistula for dialysis caused nerve damage to his left hand. He could no longer play his beloved fiddle, something he did nearly every day
Despite these challenges, Hugh continued to be outgoing, and friendly. He seemed to make new friends wherever he went. Calling him a nice man may seem trite, but that is an excellent description. He was knowledgeable, especially about local history with stories passed to him from his father. He loved to talk to people whether he knew them or not. If making new friends is a talent, it was one he certainly possessed. At times he was irreverent, and other times hilariously funny. There was much love and laughter over his lifetime with his family and his friends. He was also a kind, caring and compassionate individual. There is a small circle of very close friends who have made a point to stay in contact with Hugh throughout all his health challenges and the pandemic. Hugh would never say it, but they were loved and appreciated to the very end.
Friends and family will be received for visitation at Fawcett Funeral Home on Thursday April 7, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the chapel at 1 p.m. on Friday April 8, 2022, with reception to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion. The service will be available by livestream. In lieu of flowers donations to Hospice Georgian Triangle – Campbell House or Collingwood General & Marine Hospital – Dialysis Unit may be made in Hugh’s memory.
First and foremost, Hugh was a family man. He adored his children Ian and Patti, and by extension their life partners Dawn and Tyler. Patti was born on Father’s Day, and he always said she was the best Father’s Day present ever. His grandsons Porter and Canon were the lights of his life. Hugh had the reputation, and this would be putting it mildly, of being a doting Papa. He often mused over his forty-seven-year marriage about how blessed he was to have the family he did, and how lucky he was to have the opportunity to spend so much time with them. The hardest thing for him during the pandemic was that to keep him safe, he saw very little of his son and grandchildren.
Hugh was often referred to as a musician’s musician. He had an incredible musical talent that bordered on genius. Hugh was raised in Stayner and was a member of the Stayner Pipe Band at the age of six. He first played the drum, and when his fingers grew long enough, he began learning the practice chanter. After that, he and Allan were off to Toronto to learn from the Pipe Major of the 48th Highlanders, Archie Dewar. Piping was a family affair, and the musical talent was shared by his brothers Allan and Jim, and later little sister Bonnie. Older sister Dorothy did not play the pipes, but she was the Drum Major for the band years ago. Hugh and Allan were blessed with perfect pitch, and never used a tuner on their instruments. The Ontario Legion Massed Pipes & Drums played at the Orange Bowl Parade in Florida in 1975 and 1976. Both times, Hugh and his brother Allan tuned every set of pipes for the band by ear. Hughie also played the bagpipes on Remembrance Day for 46 consecutive years until he could no longer play.
Bagpipes may have been his first love, but where Hughie really shone was on the violin. A self-taught fiddler, he not only learned Scottish/Celtic, Old Tyme, and Bluegrass fiddle styles, he mastered them. He was generous with his talent, and most of the time did not charge for playing, and never charged for teaching. He enjoyed donating his time playing the bagpipes and fiddle for Legion functions, and at area nursing homes, and as a result received the Order of Collingwood.
Hugh was involved in many other pursuits. He was a former Warden at All Saints Anglican Church. He also belonged to the Masonic Lodge which was a very important part of his life when he was well. He was a member, and past Master, of Manitou Lodge #90 in Collingwood, and a Royal Arch Mason Chapter member. He and Bev were also members of the Order Of The Eastern Star, Stayner Chapter until ill health forced him to take his demit. Hugh attended his last lodge meeting via Zoom in March.
Over the past decade Hugh struggled with numerous health challenges. He could no longer play the bagpipes because of back and neck injuries. An avid reader, he was completely blind for seven months during the pandemic until he had cataract surgery and regained vision in his right eye. A stroke made it difficult for him to remember the names of people and objects at times which was very frustrating for him. By far the most devastating blow was when the fistula for dialysis caused nerve damage to his left hand. He could no longer play his beloved fiddle, something he did nearly every day
Despite these challenges, Hugh continued to be outgoing, and friendly. He seemed to make new friends wherever he went. Calling him a nice man may seem trite, but that is an excellent description. He was knowledgeable, especially about local history with stories passed to him from his father. He loved to talk to people whether he knew them or not. If making new friends is a talent, it was one he certainly possessed. At times he was irreverent, and other times hilariously funny. There was much love and laughter over his lifetime with his family and his friends. He was also a kind, caring and compassionate individual. There is a small circle of very close friends who have made a point to stay in contact with Hugh throughout all his health challenges and the pandemic. Hugh would never say it, but they were loved and appreciated to the very end.
Friends and family will be received for visitation at Fawcett Funeral Home on Thursday April 7, 2022, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the chapel at 1 p.m. on Friday April 8, 2022, with reception to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion. The service will be available by livestream. In lieu of flowers donations to Hospice Georgian Triangle – Campbell House or Collingwood General & Marine Hospital – Dialysis Unit may be made in Hugh’s memory.