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About 400 people attended the Huntsville Legion on Thursday afternoon to honour the memory of Lyle Payne who died last month after a long battle with cancer.
His tremendous contributions to Huntsville were remembered by former Mayor Hugh Mackenzie, close friend Marty McCormick and by Judge Bruce Payne, Lyle’s older brother. Lots of fond memories were shared. Stories told about his 30-year involvement with the Huntsville Fire Department included a time he literally walked on water, seconds before he was completely submerged! His involvement as an organizer of Old Timer’s Hockey was also recognized as was his leadership in forming the ‘Silver Ambassadors’, a group of retired residents who helped maintain order on Main Street in a non-confrontational way while also assisting tourists and demonstrating what a friendly place Huntsville is to visit.
“Lyle Payne was a gentle man”, said Mackenzie, except when it came to discussing politics or, when I was mayor, if he thought I screwed up. Then he would let me know what he thought in words of one syllable!”
Several members of Lyle’s immediate family also spoke, remembering him as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. To him, family came first.
Lyle Payne and his large family, (he was one of 16 siblings) were remembered for the important role the Payne’s have played in the history of Huntsville. The large cross section of Huntsville residents who were present for the Celebration of Life, included many from the Fire Department in uniform, former Mayors Bob Addison, Ron House and Hugh Mackenzie, former Deputy Mayor Fran Coleman and the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer, Denise Corry.
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