Donald Andrew LaRone
June 16th, 1945 ~ September 4th, 2021
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.
Messages:
I just wanted to pass on my sincerest, warmest wishes to all the LaRone family at this time. I have known and worked with Don over the last 20 years and he has a special place in my heart. He was a cherished employee and a great great friend to me over the years. Always going above and beyond to help out. I have too many stories to tell honestly, he was there for a lot of hilarious times. He being a big part of the humour usually. I am also a "driver" of sorts, a motor head, a lover of all things with tires and an engine. I have a home in the cariboo and Don loved to give me a hard time about traveling up on my own. What are you gonna do up there, he would always ask me. As taught by Don, I have an appointment this week to get the old snow tires on! I have an old classic car, he always thought that was pretty funny, "what are you doing with that thing?" he would ask. I will miss his stories, his great big hugs and being able to call him anytime for a great chat. I would like to take a road trip, much like Don really was looking forward to doing once all the restrictions and his health allowed, I would like nothing more to drive to Iron Bridge and visit my friend once more. I / we (he had quite the fan club) love you and will miss you LaRone. To the LaRone family, you are in our thoughts as we share our memories of Don.
I have missed the closest friend I have ever had. He was the most moral man I have ever known my whole life. He was my best friend for 35 years. He was extremely intelligent! We argued about politics constantly. He had more in depth insight into everything of importance. to me he was a bother. I felt I disappointed him at times. I regret that. I was proud that he was my friend. Yes he was a loner, not to me he wasn't. Once upon a time we were very close. I hope there is after life. So I can see you again Don. My dear friend. I would like it if it is possible for Gordon to get in touch with me through Dean, a friend of Don. there are have been few people I've met, know of that could match Don's ethics, his morality, his kindness. He at one time was family to my family. And vice versa. My brother and mother. He was like another son to my mother. another brother to my brother. The comments I have made here on Don's character might seem grandiose. All of if it was hard imperial proven fact. Demonstrated in action to those who knew him and strangers, to the family members I know. Norm, Gordon, and all the rest of the LaRone clan. My condolences. Your brother, uncle, was the best person one could be lucky enough to have in their life, he enriched mine. I miss him terribly. My wife Nancy who is very good at reading people thought the world of Don. She knew he was special. Rest in peace old friend John Garthson