The well-known face at the Carleton Place Legion Branch 192 passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the age of 83. However, “he would argue that he was still 80,” notes his obituary.

“Steve was there daily,” noted Ann Ecker of the legion. “He always drank his diet ginger ale while he sat around and talked with the guys. That was his routine.”

Horan, along with long-time friend Squeak Edmonds, was a familiar face at the local elementary schools, as they both frequented Remembrance Day assemblies and presentations and were always happy to educate the young students about veterans.

“I met Steve when I joined the army in 1948, which was 50 years ago,” said Edmonds. “He was the best guy you’d ever come across.”

Edmonds recalled his first encounter with his long-time friend, and how his job at the gate was to inspect the soldiers. Edmonds said Horan was very fair, which was much appreciated.

“Every person I talked to could never have a bad word to say about him,” Edmonds said.

Edmonds explained that Horan was a prisoner of war in the Second World War. Horan was grateful to some of the German soldiers who actually saved his life, as some of the SS Hitler soldiers were shooting the prisoners. Horan was transported across France into Germany by cattle car and detained for 11 months before freed by American soldiers.

Horan’s legacy lives on at Branch 192 thanks to a caricature created by Edmonds which remains on the wall.

“He had an affection for the flag,” said Edmonds. “Every day, he’d come (at the legion) in and tend to it.”

Edmonds’ caricature of Horan was inspired from a particular incident where he was tending to the flag and had his fall down in the process.

“Oh, was it ever funny,” said Edmunds.

“To me, what I’ll always remember about him is that he was a gentleman,” said Ecker.

Friends of Horan may call at the Alan R. Barker Funeral Home, located at 19 McArthur Ave. in Carleton Place from Friday, Nov. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. and again from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held in the chapel on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. As well, legion members will assemble at the funeral home for a legion service on Friday at 7 p.m.

Donations to the Legion Building Fund or the Carleton Place Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.