BACKGROUND MUSIC VOLUME Basil Cyril Orchard
July 17, 1934 – February 19, 2025
"If you're going to do something, learn how to do it, and take the time to do it well."
When I first met Basil, he made me feel instantly at ease. On my first Sunday at the church, he approached me, introduced himself as the "oldest guy here" at 90, and simply said, “I enjoyed your service today. Thanks.” That moment set the tone for how I would come to know Basil— a man who effortlessly made others feel comfortable. As one person mentioned, after talking with him, she never felt the need to be "rescued" from him. Making others feel at ease was just part of Basil’s nature, not just after church, but in all aspects of his life.
Basil was a respected psychiatrist, starting his career in the 1950s. By the 60s, he was at the forefront of his field, and patients under his care were recovering, something that many thought wasn’t possible at the time. While his specific techniques are private due to client-patient privilege, I believe part of his success was his ability to make patients feel comfortable. It’s said that when someone feels like they’re losing their mind, the most comforting thing they can hear is, “I believe you.” Basil was deeply connected to the spiritual world, and his understanding of it influenced how he treated his patients, seeing the spiritual forces that could affect their minds.
Basil worked until he was 80, a testament to his love for his work. What we can learn from his life is that he understood the difference between fun and happiness. Fun is fleeting, but true happiness comes from being of service in one’s occupation. Basil found peace and satisfaction in his work because it allowed him to be useful, something that is central to true heavenly happiness. As the teachings of the church suggest, the joy of being useful allows us to receive love from the Lord, and Basil embodied this throughout his career. His work was not for fame but to help others.
Basil’s life was not without it's trials. As a teenager, he lost his father. Later, he endured the heartbreaking loss of two sons, one on the same day as his wife. Despite these profound challenges, Basil remained a man of unwavering spirit, always grounded in his faith and the teachings of the church.
Below you can see Minister Todd Beiswenger's full address for Basil Orchard:
A few months before Basil's Funeral, Basil created a handwritten rendition of the song Dona Nobis Pacem. He shared this with Vanessa Locke who along with Henry Locke, Jenn Beiswenger and Fran Raymond, brought this song to life beautifully at Basil's Memorial.
Their collective singing can be seen at 1:08:46 in the video below.
If you're going to do something, learn how to do it, and take the time to do it well.
Those were the words of my grandfather, George Orchard. He had one son that grew to adulthood, and he taught him well. Today, we remember that son—Basil Cyril Lawrence Orchard.
My father was born in 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression. He was the eldest child of George and Doris. Though there were three other boys, none lived much more than a year— Dad was effectively an only child.
His father was a radio electronics engineer in telecommunications, a rapidly advancing field. His mother, Doris, was a musically gifted alto soloist. She played the piano beautifully and performed professionally for a time before dedicating herself to singing in churches across Toronto. From her, Dad inherited a lifelong passion for music.
At six years old, Dad joined a choir and began taking singing lessons, with piano lessons following later. This love of music persisted throughout his life. He participated in choral singing, informally organized several choirs, and even taught his own children to sing their prayers at night.
He especially loved teaching people how to sing— taking a novice and, with patience and practice, helping them develop confidence in their voice. Even this year, after moving to a senior’s residence, he found a piano and immediately sought out others who might like to sing.
As a child, Dad’s small family enjoyed camping trips and summers at Mary Lake, which nurtured a lifelong love of nature and water. During high school, he joined the Sea Cadets, where he learned navigation, sailing, and seamanship. Eventually, he became a reserve officer in the Royal Canadian Navy.
His love of sailing was more than a hobby—it was a philosophy. He often said:
Think ahead, anticipate, and then only very gentle corrections.
Dad and his father spent countless hours in the workshop, restoring furniture, building new pieces, and constructing his first radio. He learned that:
His creativity shone through in everything, from modifying a household organ with a vacuum cleaner to woodworking on the Toronto Brigantine sail-training ship, the Pathfinder.
In 1961, during his last year of medical school, Dad met Marnie Melville on a weekend trip. Lightning struck. From the moment they met, until their wedding six months later, they were inseparable.
Marnie was drawn to the energetic singing at Dad’s church, and they were married in this very church, 63 years ago.
Together, they built a life that included adventure, love, and family. When Dad took a residency in Penetanguishene, Ontario, our family lived in a century-old farmhouse near Georgian Bay. There, he built an 18-foot trimaran sailboat—designed to help Mom feel comfortable on the water. He patiently taught her to sail, so they could share in the peace and joy of nature together.
Whether in music, craftsmanship, medicine, or sailing, Dad lived by his grandfather’s words:
"If you're going to do something, learn how to do it, and take the time to do it well."
He believed in nurturing talent, encouraging learning, and sharing passions with others.
Today, as we honor Basil Orchard, we remember not just what he did, but how he did it—with thoughtfulness, skill, and love.
Below you can see Chris Orchard's Eulogy
The memorial closes on the powerful words of his son Chris Orchard
"Hey Dad. Say hi to grandpa and grandma. Mom, Kevin, and Ian. Give them all a big hug from all of us. Most of all, let grandpa know. Thank you. Message received, loud and clear. We'll take care of them. The one's left here. And Dad, mission accomplished. We all love you. Now go sing with choirs of angels. Thank you."
Unknown
September 8, 1997 – ???
"Lord look down from heaven on us"
Caelan Reid was a man of remarkable talents and deep introspection. A game developer, composer, digital marketer, web developer, and animator—he wore many hats and never stopped learning. His ability to merge creativity with technical prowess was a gift that drove his ambition to create something truly extraordinary. Caelan believed that by harnessing all of these skills, he could make an impact on the world, and in many ways, he did.
His love for storytelling, particularly in film, spoke volumes about his character. He found himself drawn to movies like *The Incredibles* for their emotional depth, and *Interstellar* for its high-stakes tension. Caelan thrived in moments of pressure, whether in the fictional worlds he loved or the real ones he lived. He felt alive in high-risk situations, whether staging raids with teammates in *Rust*, creating music compositions in his game *Cube Step*, or confronting the challenges of daily life. For him, the stakes mattered—the weight of the moment was where his spirit soared.
While Caelan often felt profoundly alone, he wasn’t lonely. It wasn’t that he preferred solitude; he simply accepted it. From a young age, he exhibited a deep independence that his family noticed. While his brother and sister sought connection, Caelan was content playing alone, fully engaged with his own thoughts and the world around him. He didn’t need human interaction to feel whole, but in his own way, he cherished those rare moments when he did.
His pursuit of meaning led him down a philosophical path. Caelan loved to explore the nature of reality itself, contemplating metaphysical questions and creating animations and games that reflected his musings on existence. He was always searching for something greater, something that could explain the world he inhabited—a world that, to him, often felt out of sync with the way he saw things.
Caelan’s journey was one of discovery—of the world, himself, and his place within it. He would take long "life walks," crossing entire cities, finding meaning in every step. He marveled at how even the smallest choice—a candy bar or a Reese's—could set in motion a chain of events that would change everything. These walks were more than just physical journeys; they were reflections of the path he was on in life, always moving forward, always thinking.
A spiritual connection grew within him as well, and he began to understand that life wasn’t about what happened to you, but about following a greater purpose no matter the trials you faced. Caelan’s faith became an anchor for him, grounding him when life’s challenges seemed overwhelming. He believed in the importance of humility and sought to live by the values he held dear, sharing his successes and lessons with those around him.
Though Caelan’s path was often lonely, it was never one of despair. He fully accepted life as it was, with all its contradictions and challenges. He confronted moments of deep sadness, philosophical struggles, and uncertainty, but he carried them with quiet grace. His sense of peace came not from the idea that happiness was guaranteed, but from the profound understanding that he was present, striving, and learning.
In grade 5, Caelan discovered the world of 3D animation through a friend, sparking a passion that would shape his life. From that moment, he immersed himself in the creative process, constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of what he could achieve. His creative pursuits were not just hobbies—they were his way of understanding and interacting with the world around him.
Caelan wasn’t someone to be easily defined. He was complex, layered, and ever-changing, constantly exploring the depths of his own mind and soul. His ability to accept life’s uncertainties, while continuing to strive toward his goals, was a testament to his strength and resilience. He wasn’t defined by sadness or happiness, but by the quiet courage with which he faced each moment.
In the end, Caelan Reid was someone who lived with purpose, with depth, and with an unyielding desire to create, learn, and understand. He may have been misunderstood by some, but those who truly knew him understood the incredible impact he made in his own quiet, determined way. And though he may no longer walk among us, his legacy lives on through the work he created, the lessons he shared, and the quiet moments of introspection he left behind. Caelan’s memory will continue to inspire all who knew him to seek meaning in the everyday, to embrace the journey, and to always strive for something greater.
Caelan's process of creating music for *Cube Step* was deeply rooted in emotion and intuition. Rather than following strict guidelines, he would feel the notes, letting his fingers guide him across the piano keys based on the emotions the scene in the game invoked. He often relied on scales as a foundation but allowed his instincts to shape the melody, turning it into something personal. A key part of his process was listening to past recordings of himself. By revisiting his previous work, he could listen closely to what he had already played, allowing those melodies to inspire new layers. He would then play over these recordings, adding additional parts, building on what was already there, creating a dynamic and evolving composition. This blend of past and present recordings allowed Caelan to craft rich, layered pieces that were not only fitting for the game but also captured the depth of emotion he wanted to convey.
"Every time life seems hard, it's really a test to see can you follow God even when it's not easy?"
Unknown
September 8, 1997 – ???
"Lord look down from heaven on us"
Caelan Reid was a man of remarkable talents and deep introspection. A game developer, composer, digital marketer, web developer, and animator—he wore many hats and never stopped learning. His ability to merge creativity with technical prowess was a gift that drove his ambition to create something truly extraordinary. Caelan believed that by harnessing all of these skills, he could make an impact on the world, and in many ways, he did.
His love for storytelling, particularly in film, spoke volumes about his character. He found himself drawn to movies like *The Incredibles* for their emotional depth, and *Interstellar* for its high-stakes tension. Caelan thrived in moments of pressure, whether in the fictional worlds he loved or the real ones he lived. He felt alive in high-risk situations, whether staging raids with teammates in *Rust*, creating music compositions in his game *Cube Step*, or confronting the challenges of daily life. For him, the stakes mattered—the weight of the moment was where his spirit soared.
While Caelan often felt profoundly alone, he wasn’t lonely. It wasn’t that he preferred solitude; he simply accepted it. From a young age, he exhibited a deep independence that his family noticed. While his brother and sister sought connection, Caelan was content playing alone, fully engaged with his own thoughts and the world around him. He didn’t need human interaction to feel whole, but in his own way, he cherished those rare moments when he did.
His pursuit of meaning led him down a philosophical path. Caelan loved to explore the nature of reality itself, contemplating metaphysical questions and creating animations and games that reflected his musings on existence. He was always searching for something greater, something that could explain the world he inhabited—a world that, to him, often felt out of sync with the way he saw things.
Caelan’s journey was one of discovery—of the world, himself, and his place within it. He would take long "life walks," crossing entire cities, finding meaning in every step. He marveled at how even the smallest choice—a candy bar or a Reese's—could set in motion a chain of events that would change everything. These walks were more than just physical journeys; they were reflections of the path he was on in life, always moving forward, always thinking.
A spiritual connection grew within him as well, and he began to understand that life wasn’t about what happened to you, but about following a greater purpose no matter the trials you faced. Caelan’s faith became an anchor for him, grounding him when life’s challenges seemed overwhelming. He believed in the importance of humility and sought to live by the values he held dear, sharing his successes and lessons with those around him.
Though Caelan’s path was often lonely, it was never one of despair. He fully accepted life as it was, with all its contradictions and challenges. He confronted moments of deep sadness, philosophical struggles, and uncertainty, but he carried them with quiet grace. His sense of peace came not from the idea that happiness was guaranteed, but from the profound understanding that he was present, striving, and learning.
In grade 5, Caelan discovered the world of 3D animation through a friend, sparking a passion that would shape his life. From that moment, he immersed himself in the creative process, constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of what he could achieve. His creative pursuits were not just hobbies—they were his way of understanding and interacting with the world around him.
Caelan wasn’t someone to be easily defined. He was complex, layered, and ever-changing, constantly exploring the depths of his own mind and soul. His ability to accept life’s uncertainties, while continuing to strive toward his goals, was a testament to his strength and resilience. He wasn’t defined by sadness or happiness, but by the quiet courage with which he faced each moment.
In the end, Caelan Reid was someone who lived with purpose, with depth, and with an unyielding desire to create, learn, and understand. He may have been misunderstood by some, but those who truly knew him understood the incredible impact he made in his own quiet, determined way. And though he may no longer walk among us, his legacy lives on through the work he created, the lessons he shared, and the quiet moments of introspection he left behind. Caelan’s memory will continue to inspire all who knew him to seek meaning in the everyday, to embrace the journey, and to always strive for something greater.
Caelan's process of creating music for *Cube Step* was deeply rooted in emotion and intuition. Rather than following strict guidelines, he would feel the notes, letting his fingers guide him across the piano keys based on the emotions the scene in the game invoked. He often relied on scales as a foundation but allowed his instincts to shape the melody, turning it into something personal. A key part of his process was listening to past recordings of himself. By revisiting his previous work, he could listen closely to what he had already played, allowing those melodies to inspire new layers. He would then play over these recordings, adding additional parts, building on what was already there, creating a dynamic and evolving composition. This blend of past and present recordings allowed Caelan to craft rich, layered pieces that were not only fitting for the game but also captured the depth of emotion he wanted to convey.
"Every time life seems hard, it's really a test to see can you follow God even when it's not easy?"
Caelan Reid
September 8, 1997 – March 1, 2025
"Lord look down from heaven on us"
Caelan Reid was a man of remarkable talents and deep introspection. A game developer, composer, digital marketer, web developer, and animator—he wore many hats and never stopped learning. His ability to merge creativity with technical prowess was a gift that drove his ambition to create something truly extraordinary. Caelan believed that by harnessing all of these skills, he could make an impact on the world, and in many ways, he did.
His love for storytelling, particularly in film, spoke volumes about his character. He found himself drawn to movies like *The Incredibles* for their emotional depth, and *Interstellar* for its high-stakes tension. Caelan thrived in moments of pressure, whether in the fictional worlds he loved or the real ones he lived. He felt alive in high-risk situations, whether staging raids with teammates in *Rust*, creating music compositions in his game *Cube Step*, or confronting the challenges of daily life. For him, the stakes mattered—the weight of the moment was where his spirit soared.
While Caelan often felt profoundly alone, he wasn’t lonely. It wasn’t that he preferred solitude; he simply accepted it. From a young age, he exhibited a deep independence that his family noticed. While his brother and sister sought connection, Caelan was content playing alone, fully engaged with his own thoughts and the world around him. He didn’t need human interaction to feel whole, but in his own way, he cherished those rare moments when he did.
His pursuit of meaning led him down a philosophical path. Caelan loved to explore the nature of reality itself, contemplating metaphysical questions and creating animations and games that reflected his musings on existence. He was always searching for something greater, something that could explain the world he inhabited—a world that, to him, often felt out of sync with the way he saw things.
Caelan’s journey was one of discovery—of the world, himself, and his place within it. He would take long "life walks," crossing entire cities, finding meaning in every step. He marveled at how even the smallest choice—a candy bar or a Reese's—could set in motion a chain of events that would change everything. These walks were more than just physical journeys; they were reflections of the path he was on in life, always moving forward, always thinking.
A spiritual connection grew within him as well, and he began to understand that life wasn’t about what happened to you, but about following a greater purpose no matter the trials you faced. Caelan’s faith became an anchor for him, grounding him when life’s challenges seemed overwhelming. He believed in the importance of humility and sought to live by the values he held dear, sharing his successes and lessons with those around him.
Though Caelan’s path was often lonely, it was never one of despair. He fully accepted life as it was, with all its contradictions and challenges. He confronted moments of deep sadness, philosophical struggles, and uncertainty, but he carried them with quiet grace. His sense of peace came not from the idea that happiness was guaranteed, but from the profound understanding that he was present, striving, and learning.
In grade 5, Caelan discovered the world of 3D animation through a friend, sparking a passion that would shape his life. From that moment, he immersed himself in the creative process, constantly evolving and pushing the boundaries of what he could achieve. His creative pursuits were not just hobbies—they were his way of understanding and interacting with the world around him.
Caelan wasn’t someone to be easily defined. He was complex, layered, and ever-changing, constantly exploring the depths of his own mind and soul. His ability to accept life’s uncertainties, while continuing to strive toward his goals, was a testament to his strength and resilience. He wasn’t defined by sadness or happiness, but by the quiet courage with which he faced each moment.
In the end, Caelan Reid was someone who lived with purpose, with depth, and with an unyielding desire to create, learn, and understand. He may have been misunderstood by some, but those who truly knew him understood the incredible impact he made in his own quiet, determined way. And though he may no longer walk among us, his legacy lives on through the work he created, the lessons he shared, and the quiet moments of introspection he left behind. Caelan’s memory will continue to inspire all who knew him to seek meaning in the everyday, to embrace the journey, and to always strive for something greater.
Caelan's process of creating music for *Cube Step* was deeply rooted in emotion and intuition. Rather than following strict guidelines, he would feel the notes, letting his fingers guide him across the piano keys based on the emotions the scene in the game invoked. He often relied on scales as a foundation but allowed his instincts to shape the melody, turning it into something personal. A key part of his process was listening to past recordings of himself. By revisiting his previous work, he could listen closely to what he had already played, allowing those melodies to inspire new layers. He would then play over these recordings, adding additional parts, building on what was already there, creating a dynamic and evolving composition. This blend of past and present recordings allowed Caelan to craft rich, layered pieces that were not only fitting for the game but also captured the depth of emotion he wanted to convey.
"Every time life seems hard, it's really a test to see can you follow God even when it's not easy?"