WILLIS A. TONINATO

Willis A. Toninato, 79, of International Falls, Mn., passed away Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004 at the Falls Memorial Hospital in International Falls.
Born Sept. 5, 1925 in Fort Frances, Ont., he grew up in Fort Frances and attended St. Mary’s School.
Willie served in the Canadian Navy during W.W. II and received an honourable discharge in 1946.
Willie played the positions of left-wing and centre on the Fort Frances Canadians hockey team during the late 1940s and early ’50s, which later went on to win the Allan Cup in 1952.
He also played hockey for the Sioux Hawks in Sioux City, Iowa during the mid-1950s. While on the Sioux Hawks, Willie broke the American League all-time record by scoring three goals in 58 seconds.
In later years, he played for the Warroad Lakers.
Willie was united in marriage to Joyce E. Reidt on June 30, 1948 in Fort Frances. He and his wife moved to International Falls, and became U.S. citizens in 1952.
He and Joyce have been members of the First Lutheran Church in International Falls since then.
Willie worked for Minnesota Telephone Co., and later for Minnesota Hydro and Boise Cascade as an electrician during the late ’50s through the late ’80s. He served as president of the Electricians’ Union Local 731 for six years.
Willie also served four years on the City of International Falls council as an alderman at large. He was a volunteer fireman for the International Falls fire department for 24 years, and also was a member of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce.
He enjoyed many activities with his wife and family, including dancing, travelling, fishing and hunting with his sons and friends, downhill skiing, golfing, and gardening.
He also loved coaching Pee-Wee, Squirts, and Bantam hockey teams for many years, and followed the Bronco hockey teams throughout his life in the Falls.
Willie was predeceased by his parents, Giovanni and Elise Toninato; sisters, Nettie, Vera, and Aida; and brothers, James, Tony, Joe, Patrick, and Raymond.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce E. Toninato of International Falls; sister, Sainta Berry of Fort Frances, Ont.; sons, Richard (Marilyn) Toninato of Green Bay, Wis., and Reid (Josephine) Toninato of International Falls, Mn.; daughters, Brenda (Doug) Dault of International Falls, and Marissa Holst of Prescott, Wis.; grandchildren, Derek, Daniel, and Alisa Toninato, Patrick Hanson, Jeanna and Joseph Toninato, Andrew and Ryan Dault, and Tristina and Willy Holst; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church (123 Wayside Lane) in International Falls.
Arrangements with Green-Larsen Mortuary.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com