Theirs is a story of love, loss, family and the importance of giving back.
Bill and Doris Lacey have lived in Ladner since 2000. They love the community and try to give back whenever they can.
Bill’s story started through his dad’s hard work and love for the printed word. Bill has been a pressman all his life, working for several printing companies in the Lower Mainland through the years.
“At the age of the 12 he gave me a claw hammer. He wasn’t just giving me that hammer – he was giving me his time,” Bill recalled, getting a bit chocked up at the memory. “I didn’t immediately follow my dad into the wood trade, I went into the printing trade.
“But I still have that hammer. I recently gave it to my grandson.”
Through helping out his dad, Bill got into woodworking and started creating toys in his spare time. Over the years he has made wooden bush planes, train sets, fire trucks, tic-tac-toe games, stilts and canes, birdhouses, high chairs and wagons.
During those years, Bill and Doris had two children: a daughter, Louise, and son, Maurice.
Tragically, Maurice passed away from cancer in 1994 at the age of 26.
Bill went back to his passion for the written word when he wrote two books to honour his son following his passing.
“I named Buffy Toys to honour our son, Maurice William ‘Buffy’ Lacey,” said Bill.
When the Optimist sat down with the Laceys, Bill opened up two photo albums full of memories and pictures of the toys and youngsters enjoying them. Some are his own kids, others are friends’ children.
There are also letters of thanks and appreciation for his toy donations. One is from the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau thanking him for his 18 donations of five-car train sets. Another letter is from the Salvation Army.
For Father’s Day, Bill helped his granddaughter Brittany and her kindergarten class make bird houses at her elementary school here in Ladner.
“With a wooden toy a child can use their imagination,” said Bill.
Bill has stopped his projects now that he got older, but he still loves chatting about what inspired him.
Doris has also been inspired to give back. She has been a member of the Knitting Sisters for the past 15 years.
“I do all my knitting from home. All of the knitting we do is for children in need. I do blankets, toques and slippers,” she said. “I’ve been knitting for a long time. I wanted to join the group because they do things that are worthwhile.
“My grandmother many years ago started me crocheting. I couldn’t do it – I hated it. Finally I said no more crocheting and I took up knitting. My mom and my sister knew more about that, so between the two of them, I just fell in love with it. I think it’s a great pastime because we watch a lot of television and I don’t think I’m wasting a lot of time when I’m knitting. I just love it.”
The couple say it’s the passion for family, friends and wanting to spread joy to others that kept them at their hobbies for so many years.
“It’s just been a joy to give something back – something meaningful,” said Bill.
