It is with great sadness to announce the sudden, but peaceful passing of Ivon Adduono (89 yrs.) on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Qathet General Hospital in Powell River, BC..
Ivon was born (Joseph) Yvon Lafontaine in Gaspe, Quebec on April 28, 1934, then adopted by step-dad, Leonard John Adduono upon the passing of his birth-father, Joseph Yvon Lafontaine. He is predeceased by both fathers, mother, Joan Lorna Adduono, wife, Carol Adduono (Cameron), son, Barry Adduono, partner Georgette Lassard, sisters Theresa, Leona, Judy, and Betty and brothers, Jimmy and Leonard Adduono. He is survived by his brother Val Lafontaine Sr., sons Bradley (Lorna) and Brian (Laura), grandson, Lewis Wihnan-Adduono (in Kelowna), beloved, daughter, Lisa Evon Lee, and grandchildren, Melissa Miller and Joey Miller.
In some ways, Ivon lived two lives: 1 in Ontario and a 2nd in British Columbia.
Life #1: From a child to 51 yrs. old, Ivon called Thunder Bay, Ontario home. He loved sports, ( fastball umpire and broomball referee), and he especially embraced the outdoors: golf, fishing and camping. He was active in the community, giving generously of his time and energy, especially with wife Carol, helping to found the Current River Recreation Association and working the canteen at the Current River Arena. Ivon was renowned and respected for his ability to work “magic” as an auto body repairman - his life’s career, at various dealerships and shops; (fun fact: he was fixing cars at a shop in Powell River – for pay – into his mid-80’s!). In the evenings, you could find him holding court in a lawn chair on the front lawns of his house or others, with friends and neighbours. Ivon also loved music, always humming or whistling along with his favourite songs. Later in life, he enjoyed watching grandson, Joey, playing bass guitar in a variety of bands. As well, precious to ‘Poppa-Ivon’ were walks with granddaughter, Melissa.
Life #2: In 1985, at 51 yrs. old, Ivon moved to beautiful Powell River, B.C., and he stayed for the next 39 yrs. He kept working auto body, mentoring numerous young apprentices and banging out dents like a true artist; the “guys at the shop” were another family to him; he was universally respected and loved in the industry. Again, he golfed in leagues and tournaments, fished the nearby lakes and the Pacific Ocean, and started to WALK! Almost every single day of his new life, Ivon and friends would ‘walk-the-track’ for an hour each morning, rain or shine … and I mean “walk” – very few could keep up! In Powell River, Ivon also met Georgette Lassard and the large Lassard family, all of whom embraced him as one of their own, warmly and lovingly, and they provided him with much love and laughter. Ivon and Georgette were together for 22 years. (“thank you” to all the Lassard clan, notably Henry who always called Ivon ‘Dad’). Ivon often travelled back to Thunder Bay or to the Barrie/Orillia area for extended vacations, but it was Hawaii that captured his heart; Ivon went to Hawaii 14 times! (what a collection of colourful shirts and hats he adored to wear year-round). Thank you to Cindy, his travel agent, who arranged most of his trips. Ivon also held dear all the friends he spent time with at the Legion every Sunday and the Snack-Attack-Shack in the mall every other single day of the week, without fail. Ivon was a “social butterfly” of the finest order. In the quieter hours, Ivon was a professional at jigsaw puzzles, loved to play his Lotto numbers, solved word-searches and hung on every pitch during Blue Jays games. Ivon was an expert at cribbage and “up for anything” - when Ivon walked into a room, the party started.
If you knew Ivon, “then you knew” – if you just met him, then you soon found out; he had a perma-smile, a twinkle in his eye, a sparkling personality, a palpable kindness, a gentle spirit and not a day went by in almost 90 yrs. when he wasn’t laughing and making others laugh.
Young children can spot a genuine soul and they were always drawn to Ivon, as he was to them; for years he brought joy to kids as Santa Claus in both the Black Bay Crescent neighbourhood and at countless company functions. Perhaps it was his child-like wonder of the world, boundless curiosity and natural charm that afforded him such a long and satisfying life.
Ivon’s family wish to thank Henry and the Lassard family, the staff at Qathet Hospital in Powell River and the numerous friends who were so kind, generous and helpful over the years.
A Celebration of Life is planned for a future date in Thunder Bay. More information forthcoming. Those who wish to mark Ivon’s passing are encouraged to donate to a charity of their own choosing.
