Died August 12, 2024
Fayne Bullen (95) born February 2, 1929 in Grenada to Robert Bullen and Alexandrina Thomas passed away today after a long and fantastic life filled with laughter, travel and foremost love of family and friends. Fayne married Vera Gaffney in 1961(d 1997).
They had four children together. Selina Lochead (Bob), Terry (Cory Hoch), Trevor (Jenn Beath) and Tim (Cathy O’Toole). He was so proud of his grandchildren – Caitlin (Nate) and great grandson George, Nicola (Tom), Aidan (Annie), Dexter (Madeline), Liam, Quintin (Ryan), Amber, Erika (Mikey), Elisa and step grandchildren Natasha (Elllis) and Rhyen. In 1999, he married Catherine Serenyi (d.2022) and they continued to travel and to host friends and family in their welcoming home. He loved to learn and became an honorary member of the Grenada Boys School boys’ group even though there wasn’t money for him to attend. His boundless quest for education had him working in oil fields in Curaçao and mining in New Brunswick to make his university dreams a reality.
He attended Mount Allison University for his undergrad, Queens’ University for his master’s degree and then London School of Economics for his training in Foreign Service. He served in the foreign service in Mexico and Trinidad and then emigrated to Canada in 1962 when Trinidad gained independence from Britain. This was when his teaching career began. The family moved to Orillia in 1965 where he taught at Park Street CI until retirement. Along with teaching, he was incredibly active in community and political life. He ran for the NDP, was on Orillia city council for two terms, and initiated many changes for the betterment of Orillians i.e. The Community Legal Services clinic, the Sharing Place food bank, St. James Non Profit Housing. He served on the boards of the Orillia Community Non-Profit Housing Corporation, the Orillia Historical Society and OMAH.
He, with the Champlain Seniors Group, initiated and volunteered at the breakfast club programme in Orillia schools. Additionally, he was a warden at St. James Anglican Church and donated generously to Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and the Salvation Army. Along with a group of retired teachers, he travelled to Guatemala where they established Paso por Paso providing micro loans, supported schooling and safe water. Being awarded the Order of Orillia and having the tenant lounge named for him at the new West Street housing development meant the world to him.
He loved his family, friends and community and always remembered students that he taught so many years ago. You could regularly find him volunteering at tag days and attending the Mariposa Folk Festival until last year sharing stories and greeting friends. We will miss his big laugh and his Rum Punch. Celebration of Life at Hawkridge Golf Course on Sunday September 22nd. Details to follow. Arrangements entrusted to the Carson Funeral Homes L. Doolittle Chapel 54 Coldwater St. E., Orillia (705) 326-3595.
Online condolences may be left at www.carsonfuneralhomes.com