Ian G. Lorimer died on February 27, 2010 while on a cruise around the southern point of South America. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Pat Lorimer; son, Jim Lorimer; daughters and sons-in-law, Beth Bahner and Mark Grunwald, Kathy and Ken Lemelin, and Robin and Bryan Proffitt; and six granddaughters. Ian was born in the Bronx, NY. Pat was also born in the Bronx but she was younger than Ian and did not know him when growing up even though both went to some of the same schools. After graduating from high school, Ian went on to college at Georgia Tech. It was while working as a lifeguard in the summer at Little Neck Bay off Long Island Sound that he finally met Pat. Pat left the area to go to college in Boston and Ian’s schooling was interrupted for two years when he was drafted into the Army. They were married in September 1955; and after Ian completed his final year at Georgia Tech, they moved to Chattanooga, TN where he was employed by E.I. DuPont. In 1962, DuPont transferred him to the Richmond area and he was with DuPont for 35 years until his retirement.

Ian and Pat both grew up sailing small sailboats in Little Neck Bay off Long Island Sound. It was an easy walk down to the water where you could go out for a sail for a few hours. Once they moved to Richmond, they did not think they had an outlet for their enjoyment of sailing until they heard about Fishing Bay Yacht Club. Friends who were club members invited them down to sail on numerous occasions. Finally in 1968, they applied for membership and bought a 17 ft. Discover daysailer named Puff that was large enough for their family. Puff was followed by Dolphin, a S&S 24; then two Lasers, Ding-A-Ling and Mes-Ami; a J-30, Cool Change; and finally a partnership in 1995 in Robert Hull’s Pearson 33, Halcyone. That partnership lasted until last year when they donated the boat to the Deltaville Maritime Museum. The Lorimer family was mainly interested in daysailing rather than racing and long cruises. After they became partners with Robert and Elizabeth Hull, the couples enjoyed sailing together. The Lorimer children were all active in the club’s Junior program when growing up. It was probably for that reason that Ian took on the job of Junior Activities Chairman in 1975 and remained in charge of the program through 1981. Ian also served on the Board as 1982 Rear Commodore, 1983 Vice Commodore, 1984 Commodore and 1985 Member-at-Large. He was the recipient of the Matthew Fontaine Maury Bowl in 1979 and the Piankatank Trophy in 1985. In 1995, Ian presented the Fishing Bay Challenge Bowl to the club. Each year the Commodore selects as the recipient of that perpetual trophy an appropriate event or activity that either needs a boost in participation or is deserving of special recognition.

No formal service is planned. Friends are invited to stop by the Lorimer home on Saturday, March 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.