March 6, 1959 – September 18, 2024
In loving memory of Jean-Pierre Philippe Lalonde, who passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener at the age of 65. Beloved husband of Kathryn (Power) for 41 years, and father to Melissa (Eric), and cherished Papa to Celeste. Predeceased by his parents Philippe and Joyce (Hurtubise) Lalonde He passed in the loving presence of his wife, daughter, brother and life-long best friend Andre, and his wife Carol-Ann. I want to thank my mom, Marguerite, who passed away in July for her unconditional love and support and sincerely thank my Power siblings and spouses; Karen (Hank), Bob (Terry), Mike (Erika), Sally (Mike) and my nieces for all of your love and support throughout his life especially when he was ill. Your support was what kept me going.
Jean-Pierre, fondly known as JP, was a light in the lives of everyone he came into contact with. His career, as a salesman in the water treatment industry, allowed him to thrive and develop wonderful friendships with his customers and coworkers that he treasured. He was a friend to everyone, and took pride in keeping meaningfully connected to countless friends and family members from Winnipeg to the Maritimes - fondly sharing stories of his life and family to them, and of their lives to his family. He was always filled with joy and he brought joy into the lives of everyone he interacted with. He loved taking care of people's needs, and thoroughly enjoyed being able to treat his customers to lunches, dinners, golf, and donuts as often as he could. We completely concur with the words of his wonderful friends who told us stories about how he always operated with morals, treated everyone with dignity, and made people feel like they had been on vacation after so much as a short visit with him.
JP was overwhelmingly devoted to his family, and spent his life focused on making sure we always felt safe and cared for. He put his whole heart into everything he did for us. When my mother had a dream of having horses in her backyard, he not only made it happen, but he devoted over 25 years to creating and maintaining beautiful walking trails for them cut into what was once heavy brush, building barns and shelters for them, and rototilling large paddocks and removing thousands of rocks by hand for many years to ensure the grass would grow perfectly for them to graze.
As a father, he created many loving traditions with me that I will always treasure - beginning with taking me to pools starting at infancy, and teaching me to swim, taking me to play mini putt and teaching me to golf (a skill he believed everyone needed to master!), watching horror movies with me every time we saw each other, eating sushi with me in the special way only JP did (putting salmon sashimi on top of salmon nigiri because there was never enough salmon), sharing his favourite music (80s rock) with me, taking me to fish at his treasured childhood campground, Grundy Lake Provincial Park, and visiting me no matter where I lived - including many trips to Regina over the year that I lived there to make sure I wasn't lonely.
He was always there for me, and he passed on that passion for family into his relationship with Celeste, who he also took swimming for the first time in her life at only four months old, and had countless plans for the future with - including a much awaited trip to Punta Cana that was sadly cancelled due to his illness returning.
JP bravely battled lymphoma for over two and a half years - and was consistently positive, despite all that he endured. Even during the months he spent in the hospital, he was a smiling face for every doctor and nurse that met him, and he became a favourite patient to all. His family wishes to thank all of the wonderful doctors and nurses, including his dedicated oncologist, Dr. Graczyk, for everything they did to help him in his battle. Everyone could see that his will to live shined through the darkness, and his life was cut short too soon.
JP will leave an indescribable void in our hearts, and we will work to continue his legacy of positivity, kindness, and generosity, while always keeping his memory alive.
A cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life for JP's wonderful 65 years will be planned at a later date this year. Fond memories and donations to donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada or the Grand River Hospital may be shared through the funeral home at www.couttsfuneralhome.com.
