Lachlan (Lock) Mawhinney, Co-founder of L’Arche Comox Valley Passes

Obituaries

Lachlan (Lock) Mawhinney, Co-founder of L’Arche Comox Valley Passes

Volume 26  Issue 10, 11 & 12 | Posted: December 22, 2012

   After a lengthy battle with cancer that went extra innings, our beloved Lockie, husband and dad, hit a grand slam and slid safely into home.
   Lachlan Ralph Mawhinney (Lock) passed away on February 20, 2012 in Courtenay, BC. He died at home in the loving arms of his wife Joanne of 48 years; and surrounded by his eight children.
   Lock is survived by wife Joanne; brother Raymond (Maria); children Bridget (Richard), Andy (Laura), Shannon (Sergio), Shane (Robyn), Jayson, Jennifer (Lawrence), Susan, Darcy and 11 grandchildren; Jordan, Jonah, Ocean, Aidan, Zhia, Isaac, Daniel, Ethan, Victoria, Owen, Aaron, and Oliver Lachlan; one great-grandchild (Zachary) and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his daughter, Erin Colleen (1973), mother Marjorie (1978), and father Ralph (1988).

   After a lengthy battle with cancer that went extra innings, our beloved Lockie, husband and dad, hit a grand slam and slid safely into home.
   Lachlan Ralph Mawhinney (Lock) passed away on February 20, 2012 in Courtenay, BC. He died at home in the loving arms of his wife Joanne of 48 years; and surrounded by his eight children.
   Lock is survived by wife Joanne; brother Raymond (Maria); children Bridget (Richard), Andy (Laura), Shannon (Sergio), Shane (Robyn), Jayson, Jennifer (Lawrence), Susan, Darcy and 11 grandchildren; Jordan, Jonah, Ocean, Aidan, Zhia, Isaac, Daniel, Ethan, Victoria, Owen, Aaron, and Oliver Lachlan; one great-grandchild (Zachary) and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his daughter, Erin Colleen (1973), mother Marjorie (1978), and father Ralph (1988).
   Lock Mawhinney was born, raised and educated in Vancouver, BC. Following two years of seminary study he earned a B.Ed. Degree from UBC and a M.Ed. Degree in Special Education Administration from the University of Oregon.
   Lock met the love of his life, Joanne and married in May of 1964 and moved to the Comox Valley in September of that year. It was then that he began his thirty-four year career for School District #71 working as a teacher, consultant, coordinator, supervisor and eventually the Director of Student Services. Lock spent the majority of his career advocating for the rights of all students to access full and appropriate educational services in inclusionary environments.
   Lock lived his dream of being a gentleman farmer raising kids, pigs, chickens and cows. He was proud of his “hobby farm” which became a place of great contemplation for him.
   Lock and Joanne’s life changed when in 1983 they attended a L’Arche retreat with Jean Vanier. They were profoundly influenced by the message of L’Arche and together worked towards founding L’Arche Comox Valley.
   There was a large reception at Queenesh Secondary School attended by upwards of 500 family and friends.
   A short time later, there was a book launch for his book, A Treasure in a Field, the story of the creation of L’Arche in the Comox Valley.
 Lock’s Celebration of Life Mass was concelebrated with Bishop Remi .