The family of Donald Andrew LaRone are sad to announce his passing on September 04, 2021, in Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge, BC. Don was hopeful and determined to beat the cancer that attacked his body, but the disease proved to be stronger.
Don was the first-born of six children born to Anne and Bill LaRone of Iron Bridge, Ontario. He grew up on the farm along with his two sisters and three younger brothers. After graduating from Blind River District High School in 1963, he moved to Sault Ste. Marie for several years then left for Vancouver for the rest of his life. He was a long-distance truck driver for over 25 years putting in long hours and many miles, accident free. He had many stories to tell of his road days and knew all the best places to eat from Vancouver to Quebec and all over the USA.
In the late 1990’s, he joined the Teamsters Union Local 155 and spent the next 25 years in the motion picture industry, a job he truly loved. He made some very good friends, saw movie stars close up and got to sleep in his own bed every night. He will be sadly missed by his good friends Nancy, Glenn, and Shannon.
Most of Don’s family lived in Edmonton and he would come for visits, usually at Christmas to enjoy some good home-cooked meals and Mom would spoil him with all his favourite dishes. He also enjoyed taking part in some heated conversations with Dad and the boys. He was an avid reader, pocketbooks and newspapers were a passion. He was obsessed with US politics and only watched American news channels, flipping from one to the other to avoid seeing Donald Trump. He loved to talk on the phone and could go nonstop for hours. We will all miss those epic 3 hour calls. Don had a terrific memory for detail, a wonderful sense of humour, a generous nature and lived his whole life on his own terms. Even though he was a loner, he valued and treasured his family and friends.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Bill (2011), Anne (Sept 04, 2014), his sister Linda (2013), his sister-in-law Karen (2014) and his brother-in-law Tom Dodge (2006), his grandparents James & Annie McKinnon, and Andy & Olive LaRone.
He is survived by his sister Rhonda Dodge of Prince Albert, SK; his brothers William Lloyd (Susan Dean) of Victoria, BC; Gordon (Dawn Marie L’Hereux) of Edmonton and Vancouver; Norman (Launa Fisher) of Calgary; his Aunt Eloise Steed of Sault Ste. Marie, ON and many cousins across Canada.
He was Uncle Don to Jamie (John) Lawlor, Aaron (Karen) Dodge, Alex LaRone, Tyson (Stephanie) LaRone, Katie LaRone, Gennie (Shane) Martens, Sam LaRone, Emily (Oscar) LaRone and 10 great nieces and nephews
The family sends a special thank you to the Doctors and Nurses who cared for Don over the past 5 years in Burnaby, Abbotsford and Maple Ridge Hospitals. His many health issues were a challenge, and we appreciate the excellent care he received.
We also acknowledge our brother Gordon, who has been the go-to guy that Don depended on for help and support when he needed it. Thank you Gord for being there and all you’ve done and continue to do. Love and hugs from all of us.
Rest in Peace Don. We love you. We miss you.
No funeral service is planned at this time. Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services in Aldergrove, BC, are looking after arrangements.
Don’s cremated remains will be laid to rest in the family plot in Iron Bridge United Church Cemetery.
If anyone wishes to make a charitable donation in Don’s memory, gifts to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Canadian Diabetic Society would be appreciated.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Andrew LaRone June 16th 1945 September 4th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique