Wayne Borland, 77
Meet Wayne Borland, 77
Wayne has always been a man of quiet strength, curiosity, and heart. Born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario, he grew up near the shores of Lake Huron with his two brothers, Ray and Jeff. Summers were often spent with his beloved grandparents in Midland and close family friends known affectionately as Aunt Hat and Uncle Don who became like second parents when tragedy struck. After his parents were injured in a serious car crash, Hat and Don cared for Wayne and his brothers while their parents healed. That experience shaped Wayne’s deep loyalty and quiet resilience qualities that have defined him throughout his life.
Despite challenges in school due to an undiagnosed hearing loss and ADHD, Wayne had an eye for design and a love for working with his hands. He graduated from high school in Sarnia and went on to study design at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. He had a gift for woodworking, something that began in his teens and blossomed into a true passion in retirement. Whether refinishing furniture, building decks, or helping preserve history at Pioneer Village, Wayne’s creative spirit always shone through. One summer, while helping with a project at the village, he traveled to Ross Farm in Nova Scotia to bring back a team of oxen, his first taste of the East Coast, and one he never forgot.
Wayne is perhaps proudest of his role as a father to Jill and Matt. A devoted dad, he was the one behind the scenes helping with school projects, hauling gear to sports events and choir practice, even building a custom trailer to help his son move every four months during a co-op engineering program. He did it all with quiet pride and unwavering support. Together with his wife, Carolyn, they raised their family in the rural town of Ilderton, just north of London, Ontario a place where their children thrived and made lasting memories.
In 2002, a new chapter began when Jill moved to Nova Scotia for university. That Christmas, she gave Wayne a book about Oak Island and it sparked something deep. The legend of buried treasure, the mystery of the Money Pit, and the theories that spanned centuries captivated Wayne. A visit to Mahone Bay that summer brought them just to the edge of Oak Island but the causeway was closed. Still, Wayne never let go of the dream to visit Oak Island.
From that moment on, Oak Island became more than a fascination, it became a lifelong interest. He devoured books, watched every episode of The Curse of Oak Island, and pieced together the story in his mind. It gave him joy, purpose, and something to look forward to especially after he was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia in 2020. As the illness progressed, life became more challenging. Tasks Wayne once managed easily now required support from Carolyn, his loving wife and full-time caregiver. Though Wayne remains kind and thoughtful, dementia has brought anxiety, impulsiveness, and moments of confusion. Yet, his fascination with Oak Island remains clear and strong, one of the few constants in a changing world.
Time was now of the essence. Wayne’s window for travel was closing. Though still able to go with support, the opportunity was slipping away. His dream had always been to return to Nova Scotia to walk near Oak Island, visit the museum in Chester, and immerse himself in the rich history he had followed for over two decades. Even if he couldn’t step foot on the island itself, just being close, seeing it from the water, and feeling its presence would mean everything.
Carolyn knew how important this moment was. With Wayne’s dementia progressing, she moved quickly to help make the trip happen, an act of love that mirrored the life they’ve built together. They truly make quite the pair: Wayne still strong enough to help Carolyn when needed, and Carolyn the steady, capable presence who takes care of the rest. Together, they’ve faced many challenges and this one, they would face side by side.
Wayne has always put others first, his children, his community, his parents. Now, it was Carolyn’s turn to give something back: one final adventure. And what an adventure it was. Wayne soaked up every moment of the special treatment Tony gave him on the Salty Dog boat tour, the unexpected joy of meeting members of the Curse of Oak Island cast, and the peaceful dinner with some of the crew at the Oak Island Inn. The experience was everything he had imagined and more.
It was a true testament to East Coast spirit. Everyone involved understood just how meaningful this wish was and went out of their way to honor that. Their kindness and care created something unforgettable for Wayne, a good man, a loving husband, a devoted father who deserved, more than anything, this moment of wonder before the door quietly closed.
Special Thanks: Salty Dog Sea Tours, OIMAS, Oak Island Legend, and Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre
Photography: Tori Weeks
