Judge Lorne P. Clare

A TRIBUTE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL COURT JUDGE LORNE P. CLARE

It may seem odd to read a tribute to a BC Provincial Court Judge in HUMANE MEDICINE, but it is an interesting story.

When I first met Dr. Stan Greben, a Toronto psychiatrist and HUMANE MEDICINE book review editor – Stan taught me to think outside the box about who could help me with my practice. He taught me to find mentors in my community and to make them see my patients and clients through my eyes. He taught me to consider the community in which my clients and patients live and to make the community accept and experience my people.  It wasn’t a difficult concept – making it work was a different matter.

Most of my people get into trouble with the New Westminster Police from time to time.  It is part of being ‘special needs’ or ‘marginalized’ or ‘different’.  Most of my people need help with daily living and community relationships; that is why they are in therapy in the first place.

When I would go to court in New Westminster representing my people, I would often run into Judge Lorne Clare who was on the Bench in New Westminster’s only Court House.  He would greet me with a usual rolling of his eyes and smile.  “Well, Dr. Gleeson, what have you brought me today?” I would explain the plight of my client and try to explain the complex and detailed psychological or psychiatric problems that some of my patients experience.  Judge Clare would listen carefully; and he heard.  He knew what I was saying and he would reach out from the bench and come up with a creative and gentle and compassionate sentence or ‘determination’.  He was delightful.  He was wise and gentle and he never left one of my people without a kind, compassionate and thoughtful resolve

Dr. Stan Greben was correct about finding mentors and companions in the community.  Judge Clare with his wise and gentle ways took difficult and sometimes amusing situations and dispensed justice with kindness.

Having read of his death, I realise his great teaching.  I realise how much my experience with him changed the way that I interacted with the community and my colleagues there.

As the family of Lorne Clare say good-bye to this beloved husband, father, grandfather, lawyer, Judge and mentor; I want them to know that he will be missed and remembered by all of us who came to know him and to admire him.  I am grateful for my years with him in court.  I am grateful for his example.  I am grateful for being able to share the people that I serve with such a generous and wise man

Good Night,     Lorne.

Mychael Gleeson, PhD.

Dr. Mychael Gleeson

Director

Mychael Company

Box 212 – 720 Sixth Street

New Westminster, BC, V3L 3C5