John Thomas Lalonde

John Thomas (“The Great One”) LaLonde, age 77 of Clinton Township, passed away on February 2, 2019 surrounded by the love of his family while vacationing in Florida. John was born on June 2, 1941 to Ovid and Marguerite LaLonde in Detroit, Michigan. As a young man, John stepped in as role of big brother and stand-in father for his 3 brothers after his father died suddenly in1961. John married his childhood sweetheart: Sandra Judith Martin, in 1964 and she remained by his side until he took his final breath. He was the loving father of Michelle (Mark) Smith and Michael (Linda) LaLonde. Proud grandpa of Katelynn (Kyle) Bazzy, Colin Smith, Christian Smith, Noah LaLonde and Maggie LaLonde. Cherished brother of Robert (Jeannie) LaLonde, Michael (Jamie) LaLonde, and James (Sally) LaLonde. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. John graduated from Catholic Central High School in Detroit in 1959 and remained close to many of his former graduate friends and was active with CC Alumni Association. He attended Xavier University in Ohio, until he was called home to assist with his family upon his father’s death. His greatest passion, other than his family, was coaching young men in hockey for over 40 years with several going on to play at the professional level. What made him the proudest was watching all his grandchildren grow up to be loving, truly caring adults who, upon his final breath, poured out their love to him ten-fold. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital @ www.StJude.org Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-9 and Friday from 1-9 at Lee -Ellena Funeral Home, 46530 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb. In state Saturday at 9:30 a.m. until time of service at 10:00 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church, 24415 Crocker, Clinton Township. Interment will take place at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East Cemetery in Clinton Township.