LALONDE, John William

Lalonde, John William passed away on February 17, 2022, after a courageous 5 week battle at the age of 79 years. Loving father to John of Windsor and Kari (Larry) of Penetanguishene. Proud grandfather of Joshua Lalonde of Windsor.
Predeceased by his parents Bill (1997) and Audrey (nee Jackman) (2005). Dear brother of Mary Carr and Debbie McGillen. Predeceased by brother Norman (2017). Also survived by several nieces and nephews throughout Ontario.

How do you sum up 79 years of life? Where do you begin? Do you focus on days gone by or do you talk about the person he was in recent years? You can start with his birth and early life in Toronto, leading to his marriage to a Collingwood girl and the two children that they raised in the much smaller ship building town that Collingwood had once been. They were the quiet years of growing children, camping in the summers and family trips. As the years sped by, John found himself spending his winters in Yuma, Arizona where he said the dry heat of the desert made him feel ten years younger.

Thinking of his younger years playing hockey, John (Jr.) remembers how his father never missed a game or a practice. If it meant driving through harsh winter conditions to make a puck drop, his dad made it there every time. If other kids on John’s team needed a ride, his father was always the first one to offer that they pile into the family suburban and hit the road. He was always there for his kids and sacrificed what he needed to so that they could take part in the activities that they enjoyed. Those are the fond memories that stayed with John and Kari throughout their lives and reflected the values they have instilled within.

John had a special talent of building Grandfather clocks, a skill he learned from his friend and neighbour, Jim. He hand built one for each of his kids as house warming gifts for their first homes. They are inscribed with the words “Handcrafted by Dad” along with the year that he crafted them. Those Grandfather clocks reveal more of the cherished love between a father and his children.

John loved losing himself in live theater and musicals. He enjoyed the energy of the performance and then discussing it over a tea after. He would watch for each new play coming to the local theatre and be excited to be part of the experience.

Outside of his children, his pride and joy has always been his diesel pick up that was very well cared for and had been babied throughout the years. Everywhere we went, people would say “There goes John in the big blue truck”. (Boys and their toys!)

Living in the Midland/Penetang area for five years, no matter where he went, coffee shops, the gym, or stores that he frequented, John talked to whomever he came across, and quickly found a community. He was never afraid to try something new.

Even at 79 years of age, John still had dreams and aspirations. Despite enduring a stroke that should have left him debilitated and unable to walk, he showed his fortitude and fought his way back, never missing a beat. He was never deterred from the thought that he would never walk again, and especially, drive that big blue truck of his. With the positive attitude that carried him through, he was able to do both. John fought his way back to walk on his own, refusing to use his walker as “they were for old people”

Yes, John was caring and friendly, but he was also tenacious. Even in his last days, he imagined the places that he would like to go and how he would get there. He wanted to go back to Yuma, a place where he found vitality and health after years of struggling with arthritis.

John still believed that he would get married again, find “someone to grow old with” and watch his Sunday morning shows about zoo animals while talking about how much he admired veterinarians. His compassion for creatures great and small, knew no bounds, right down to the desire he still had to adopt a kitty of his own.

To his very last days, he still had a thirst for life, and never lost sight of dreaming about what was to come, and more so, what was possible.

In keeping with John’s request, cremation has been entrusted to LeClair Cremation Service of Midland On.