The sun shone through the classroom window, inviting those captive inside to get outside and see the world.
That’s what we imagined anyway, as the tops of trees waved in the distance, their trunks blocked by an overly high window sill near where we sat. The trance we found ourselves in was broken with a tap on the microphone and word to those gathered that we would soon be getting started.
People joined together this past Sunday at the Elora Centre for the Arts to remember Stephen Thorning.
A sizeable crowd spent time looking at an exhibit representing the many aspects of Thorning’s life. He was a student, politician, historian, avid train enthusiast, philatelist, gardener and horticulturist.
A very thoughtful tribute was organized by his sister Susan with the help of numerous friends. Many speakers shared their experiences with Steve. There seemed to be a common theme within their addresses – that of a kind hearted, generous person who had high standards in whatever endeavour he undertook.
Oddly, according to lore shared on Sunday, Thorning, despite earning a doctorate later in life, was not always a fantastic student. He excelled in what he liked and couldn’t be bothered with subjects that held little amusement. It added a new dimension for us to someone we considered very clever, albeit eccentric.
Few knew of a conversation we had with Steve a few months back. He was looking at retiring from writing his column. At best there would be a year left of Valuing our History, at which point he would bid adieu. The higher hope was we would help him publish a book of columns, which led to a larger question: how would such a series be organized – by date, or subject or location? Those questions were to be discussed for another time – regrettably that chance is now lost.
Much of the historical information Steve accumulated over the years has been offered to the Wellington County Museum and Archives. It will prove a treasure trove of photos, manuscripts and Newspaper clippings. Many of these items were entrusted to him by people in Elora and around Wellington County.
People knew his research was solid and trusted his columns. As a student of history, he wasn’t up for drawing parallels too quickly or spouting hearsay – he insisted on thorough research which demonstrates the great difference between a storyteller and a guardian of history.
As many recounted, Steve’s life was much like that of a perennial student. He was a late riser most mornings, having worked late into the evening on one project or another.
So however sad it may be as friends come to terms with his loss, we realize too that yet another chapter of history has come to an end.
Steve will be remembered as a friend and a gentleman, from a time past who truly valued history.
