Obituary of Lorne A. Ratchford

Lorne A. Ratchford, Age 88 passed away June 4, 2014. Beloved husband of the late Betty and the dear father of Patrick (Denise), Peggy, Becky (Dennis), Guy (Titi) the late Maureen (Jerry) and his dear brother Lloyd (Jean). Born in Detroit, Michigan, Lorne was the first of two children of Claude and Rebecca Ratchford. Lorne attended St. Alphonsus in Dearborn until he went to Henry Ford Trade School to learn the trade of Tool and Die maker. After graduation, he entered the Army Air Corps, and he was a gunner during the latter part of WWII. When he returned from the war he met and married Betty (Olson) and had five children. With Betty's encouragement and help, Lorne took advantage of the GI Bill and attended the University of Detroit where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and two years later finished his Masters and embarked on his life-time career as a History teacher. Throughout his life, Lorne held other after school jobs. This was so he could provide a better education for his children and leisure activities and vacations for his family. He worked as Tool and Die maker early in his marriage, a Parks and Recreation counselor and coach, Real estate salesman and finally as a Driver Education teacher. All these were in addition to his passion of teaching History and Government. In addition to his children, Lorne is survived by his grandchildren Tricia (Stefan), Vanessa (Mike), Lisa (Louis), Matt, Kyle (Lauren), Ryan, Sara, Josh, William, Dominic and Shona and was blessed with five great-grandchildren, Griffin, Brody, Hayleigh, Sasha and Logan. Funeral Mass honoring Lorne's life will be on Saturday June 14th at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1955 E. Commerce, Milford, MI. 48381. Please to a moment to sign Lorne's guestbook or to share a memory with the family.