Arthur Ponto

On the final day, June 9th of a holiday Art enjoyed so much, he suffered a massive stroke and was taken to the hospital in Budapest, Hungary. A strong man, hardly sick a day in his life, this came as a shock to all of us. It was almost a month before the doctors felt he was stable enough to be flown home. Once back in Thunder Bay he had days that would make us very hopeful followed by days that left us quite sorrowful. After a courageous battle his body finally gave out. It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, “papa”, brother, uncle and friend on August 12, 2018.

Art was born in Port Arthur on August 6, 1941 to Rose and Nicholas Ponto. He was raised in the area and attended Central and Shuniah schools. After graduation from the Port Arthur Technical School, at age 17 he began a career with Ontario Hydro, starting as a maintenance electrician, then customer service man, energy advisor and finally electrical inspector. He was always grateful to Hydro for enabling him to have a good life.

In 1966 he married his best friend and soulmate, Glenys Thomas, and they enjoyed 52 years of married life. They both loved to travel and Art made sure they has a holiday destination every year, sometimes abroad and sometimes close to home. They began their married life in Keewatin and six years later purchased their first home in Kenora. Art was transferred back to Thunder Bay in 1974 where he proceeded to build a home for his family.

Home and family meant everything to Art. The birth of his daughter, Marlas, was one of the highlights of his life. He was very proud of “his dearie” and would have done anything in his power to help her along in life. He was also a very devoted brother to his sister Marian and his brother John. Just tell him you needed him to do something and he was there. He was like that with everyone. His kindness and generosity were inspiring. He spent hours and hours with his two granddaughters, Nola and Faryn MacLeod. He knew these kids well and enjoyed attending or hearing about all of their activities.

Because Glenys spent her childhood at Trout Lake and Art knew how much she loved it, in 2004 he bought a camp for her there. It was lots of hard work but the years out there were filled with happiness.

Art had a good sense of humour and loved to make people laugh. This was usually accomplished by telling funny stories about his own mishaps. His passion was golf, although he didn’t get out on the course as much as he would have liked to. The Blue Jays often disappointed him but he never missed watching a game. For years he bought season tickets to the “Pop Series” of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra which he enjoyed immensely.

Art was predeceased by his mother and father, Rose and Nicholas and much loved aunties and uncles. Art will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Glenys, his daughter Marlas and her husband Glenn MacLeod, grandchildren Nola and Faryn MacLeod, sister Marian and her husband George, brother John and his partner Ria, nephew Michael Langlois and his wife Mandie, children Julianne, Grayson, Journie, and Keaton, niece Michelle and husband Kurt Sawula, and niece Angel and her husband Kumada and their children Noah, Jonas and Graeme.

A celebration of Art’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018 in the chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, presided by Rev. Rob Smith of St. Paul’s United Church. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m. Cremation has taken place and interment will be held at a later date. Should friends so desire, donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Salvation Army, or the Underground Gym would be greatly appreciated.