November 05, 2021 A full and wonderful life with diabetes

When Lorne E. Richardson died in August 2021 at the age of 96, he had lived with type 1 for 74 years, giving himself three insulin injections a day. Despite this daily routine, diabetes didn’t stop him from living what his sons, Doug, Blair and Kent, describe as “a very full and wonderful life.”
 

In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Lorne loved hockey, which he started playing in the position of goalie as a kid growing up in Saskatoon. Nicknamed “Leaky Lorne,” he was good enough to travel with Gordie Howe for a tryout as a goalie with The Detroit Red Wings. (Lorne is on the far left in the bottom row; Gordie is three over from the right).
 

While Lorne didn’t end up making his name in major league hockey, he was well-known for supporting local sports, including hockey at all levels, and the Saskatoon Hilltops, a junior Canadian football team founded by his brother, Len. He was also a big fan of “giving back,” supporting with 40 local charities in and around Saskatchewan with his time and resources, including the Canadian Diabetes Association (now Diabetes Canada), the Salvation Army, and Knox United Church.

The youngest of nine children, Lorne was diagnosed at the age of 22 and was the only person in his family with the disease. In all his years of living with diabetes, he didn’t experience any of the complications that can occur long term. When it came to managing his diabetes, Lorne's sons say,

Our dad never asked ‘Why me?’ Instead he was always thankful for the love and support of his wife and family in trying to live a normal life.

Did you know?

Even after 100 years of insulin, 1 in 3 Canadians are living with or at risk of diabetes. We all play a role in ending diabetes. Whether it’s raising awareness, having your A1C tested, knowing your risk, or supporting research towards a cure—every action, no matter how big or small, makes a difference.

This Diabetes Awareness Month help us reach 100,000 actions to End Diabetes. Take action now and share it on diabetes.ca/takeaction #LetEndDiabetes