Lorne Lewis Fonteyne, 82
Our family is saddened to share with you that Lorne Lewis Fonteyne, 82, passed away on Jan. 13, 2018, following a valiant battle with a multitude of medical challenges.
Lorne was born March 30, 1935, in Wetaskawin, Alberta, to Abigail Bergan Fonteyne and Arthur Mathew Fonteyne. He was educated and worked in Wetaskawin until he entered the banking world at the age of 17. By the age of 22 he was the unit manager of Delta Acceptance Corporation, AVCO. During this time Lorne and Francis Kangeisser were married and together they became the proud parents of three amazing sons. His career with AVCO Corporation advanced to the positions of regional operations manager, followed by vice president and assistant general manager. He joined the administrative ranks of Carte Blanche Corp-oration as vice president and moved to executive vice president, becoming the president and Chief Operating Officer of Carte Blanche. He returned to AVCO Corporation as president and CEO of AVCO Savings and Loan, followed by his position as vice president of AVCO Community Development. Ultimately, he was president of his own investment and consulting company.
Lorne’s professional career afforded him and his family to live in numerous Canadian and United States locations and exposed him to extensive international travel locations. Directorship positions included companies in Canada and the United States. He also had a passion for the Los Angeles Minor Hockey Association where he coached the juniors hockey team and took them to their first Nationals Tournament.
The pride of Lorne’s life has always been his three sons. Greg and his children, Michael and Jenna, live in Spokane. Steve, and his wife Amber of Thousand Oaks, California, is the father of Samantha and Garrett and stepfather to Kaydance and Taylor. Trevor lives in Camarillo, California. The four Fonteyne men have enjoyed continuous adventures together over the years and have remained best and loving buddies. God bless you gentlemen!
Lorne and Karol Johnson met in 1994 and were married shortly thereafter. The honeymoon never ended. They enjoyed traveling, golfing, cooking, a cocktail here and there, family gatherings and great friends throughout the years.
“I miss you so very much sweetheart. Thank you for bringing me into the Fonteyne family! What a ride we’ve shared!
Lorne enjoyed a huge passion for life, whether it focused on history, politics, Mother Nature’s wonders, philanthropy, gardening, traveling, golfing, deliberately cultivating an eclectic circle of great friends, making hand-crafted Montana Birch Bark Candles and his daily visits to his “office.” His devotion to his family was unparalleled and was a priority in his life, as was the requirement for abject honesty in all that a person does. Indicative of his lifestyle were his favorite songs: “My Cup Runneth Over with Love,” “Try To Remember,” “What a Beautiful World” and “If You Are Among the Very Young at Heart.” You should have heard this man play the trumpet!
His mother, Abigail and father Arthur, brother Warren and sister Lois, and cousins Dale and Rodney preceded Lorne in death.
Lorne’s wife Karol, sons, Greg, Steve and Trevor and their families survive him, as does his brother Darol, cousins Val and Dennis and their families, and nine nieces and nephews and families. Visits to Bigfork by so many of these family members and travels to Canada meant the world to both of them as they shared good times, many spirited cribs games and multitudes of laughs.
“Your passing is unimaginable but we will forever treasure the memories of you as a strong, intelligent and kind “gentle-man” with unbending love and rich, happy memories. Thank you for a great life with you, Lorne!”
A very special thank you to the following doctors and their staffs for the exceptional and personal care you proved for Lorne: Dr. Charles Dixon, Dr. Dave Roth, Dr. Tim Obermiller, Dr. Bernadette Van Belois and Dr. Monroe.
A private family service will be held for Lorne’s internment and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In Lorne’s memory, donations may be forwarded to Camp Mak-A-Dream, (The Fonteyne philanthropic focus in support of children who suffer with brain tumors), P.O. Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Fonteyne family.