in memory of my brother,
Wayne Ellory Lacey July 3, 1953–May 2, 2023
by Marlene Lacey, May 24, 2023

Orkney

Until the age of 5, in those significant early childhood developmental years, Wayne was raised in a hamlet, Orkney, Saskatchewan. All of Orkney was our playground.

In a hamlet, where children roam,
With freedom to call this place their home,
They play hide and seek in culverts deep,
Imagination alive, their secrets they keep.

On tetter totters at the old school's side,
Their laughter and joy, they cannot hide,
Innocent smiles as they reach the sky,
Unburdened hearts, their spirits fly.

Rare donkey baseball, a sight to behold,
Adult men playing, with stories untold,
Children gather 'round, their eyes wide,
Dreaming of the day they'll join the ride.

Curiosity sparks as the train passes by,
A penny on the track, they wonder why,
The rumble and thrill as the wheels go clack,
Witnessing the power on a small copper plaque.
 
With pails in hand, to the cistern they go,
Gathering water, a simple task they know,
For homes without running water's grace,
Their strength and unity, a precious embrace.

In dugouts they splash, swim, and find
A marvelous sight, hidden deep inside.
Amidst the moist corners, snails come to dwell,
In spiraled cover, their protective shell,

In this hamlet, where innocence thrives,
Children's laughter echoes, survives,
With each precious moment, memories are made
A childhood embraced, an everlasting serenade. 

The Lacey Way

song by Marlene Lacey, vocal and guitar by Rosemary Blommé
for love of family

[C]Fastball, [G]bowling, [Am]hockey, [F]guitar in hand,
[C]Wayne's love for [G]them, we under[Am]stand,
[C]These [G]life metaphors, he played with his [Am]heart,
[C]To invite and [G]inspire was Wayne's true [Am]art.

Chorus:
[F]Remember him strumming a camp[C]fire tune,
[F]Throw a log on the fire and [Am]gaze at the moon
[Am]This campfire musician, kept [F]love flowing strong.
[F]Hey Lardie Lardie, everyone's tapped to [G]sing along.

[C]From ball diamond to bowl[G]ing lane
[Am]Grip, stride, follow-through with per[F]fect aim
[C]He swung for the [G]fences and struck down the [Am]pins,
[C]Threw the fast pitches, and [G]strummed the [Am]strings.

Chorus

[Am]His love of sport and [G]music alike,
[F]Unites and binds us, through [C]every strike,
[Am]A bond to uplift, and [G]entertain,
[F]In Wayne's memory, I sing this [C]refrain.

Chorus

[C]Fastball, [G]bowling, [Am]hockey, [F]guitar in hand,
[C]Wayne's spirit lives on in [G]every band,
[Am]In every game, in [G]every song we play,
[C]We honour Wayne, in The [F]Lacey [C]Way
[C]We honour Wayne, in The [F]Lacey [C]Way
[C]In The [F]Lacey [C]way.
[F]Lacey [C]Way

In Dreams

Wayne and his daughter, Daina’s tribute to our father. Nelson Lacey.

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