LARRY JOHN ALTON

Larry John Alton, 58, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Wednesday April 15, 2009 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
Larry was born Oct. 12, 1950 to Jim and Ronnie Alton. At an early age, he moved to Thunder Bay, Ont. with his family, where he attended Five Mile Public School and then Hammarskjold High School.
After high school, Larry served in the Canadian Armed Forces and this is where he found his passion for the Royal Canadian Legion, where he later became a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 in Fort Frances.
Larry then found the love of his life, Carol Wrigley, and they were united in marriage on Sept. 8, 1972. Larry and Carol began a family and welcomed first Greg, then Lisa into the world.
Larry was employed with Ontario Hydro for more than 34 years, which prompted the relocation of his family to the communities of Thunder Bay, Geraldton, Terrace Bay, and finally settling in Fort Frances. Larry truly loved his motor cycle and woodworking, but his family was always his first priority and his granddaughter, Courtney, was the apple of his eye.
The last five years of his life was spent at home battling the effects of a severe automobile accident that left him a quadriplegic. It still was not unusual for Larry to be the one finishing a punch line of a joke or him making you the punch line of his joke.
Larry will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Carol, son Greg, daughter, Lisa (Blair) Plourde, and granddaughter, Courtney Armstrong, all of Fort Frances, Ont.; his parents, Jim and Ronnie Alton, and sister, Sherry (Al) Savard, all of Thunder Bay, Ont.; sister, Joann (Scott) Salter, and brother, Jamie (Hortensa) Alton, all of British Columbia; and brother, Tim Alton of Alberta.
Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Elva Wrigley; brothers-in-law, Gary (Lori) Wrigley, Barry (Peggy) Wrigley, Terry Wrigley, Norman Wrigley, and Jeff Wrigley; sisters-in-law, Linda Larocque, Diane (Roger) Polowski, and Norma (Glen) Barscello; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, and also his special companion, Patin.
Larry was predeceased by his sister, Beth Kisner; father-in-law, Gordon Wrigley; brother-in-law, Gatean Larocque; and sister-in-law, Maria Wrigley.
Family and friends will be received at the Alton residence (422 King’s Highway in Fort Frances) on Sunday, April 19, 2009 from 2-4 p.m for a time of fellowship.
A memorial service will be held Monday, April 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, with Rev. Barb Miller officiating.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Spinal Cord Research Centre, University of Manitoba, 436 BMSB, 745 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg, Man., R3E 0J9, the Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario, 426 Balmoral St., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7G 5G8, or Knox United Church, 340 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1E1.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com