Obituary of Leslie Angus Walton

Walton, Leslie Angus (l956-2009). Suddenly on Thursday April 23, 2009 at Hamilton General Hospital after a brief illness, Leslie Angus Walton, a former radio broadcaster of St.Catharines, Ontario. Beloved husband of Mary Jo (nee Eaton) and adored father of sons Robert (Shannon Fletcher) and James, all of St.Catharines. Dear son of Angus and Lydia Walton of St.Thomas, Ontario and dear brother of Diane Herbert (Mark) of Guelph, Ontario and Kathy Hesse (Werner) of London, Ontario. He is also survived by and held in high esteem by brothers and sisters-in-law Margaret Jones and George Landry of Carlsbad Springs, Ontario; Dave and Patti Colquhoun of Corunna, Ontario; Peter and Judy Eaton of London, Ontario; Kim Savoie of Pickering, Ontario and Ryan Eaton of London, Ontario.Several aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews also survive. Born in St. Thomas, Ontario on December 23, l956, Les attended Lockes Community Elementary School and Central Elgin Collegiate Institute.In l979 he graduated from Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology with a diploma from the Broadcast Radio and Television Program. His first job in St.Catharines Radio was at then CHSC-CHRE Radio on Queenston Street in l979. There he held positions of newscaster/newswriter until l984 when he moved to CKTB/CHTZ Radio on Yates Street where he was a newscaster/newswriter and Talk Show Host for 610 CKTB. He retired from CKTB in the fall of 2008.Community-spirited and service-oriented Les was twice president of the Grantham Optimist Club and also served as a judge on the Public Speaking Contest Committee and was a long-standing coach in the Optimist Club's pee-wee softball league. He was formerly a member of the Board of Directors of Hospice Niagara where he had served as vice-chair. He had been a proud member of the Board of Directors of Crimestoppers Niagara, former chair of Curl for Cancer fundraiser and was involved in several other community service ventures. Leslie lived by his mother's motto "if you live in a community you must give back to the community". In recognition of his years of service to the Grantham Optimist Club, Sportsman Category, Leslie received a Volunteer Service Award from the Province of Ontario in 2008.A fine bass singer, Les had sung with several church choirs in Niagara, most recently at Elm Street United Church in Merriton where he was also a reader. The family will receive visitors at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Sunday April 26th, 2009 from 2-4p.m. & 7-9p.m. A funeral service for Les will take place at Elm Street United Church, 11 Elm Street, Merriton at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2009. In keeping with Leslie's generous spirit he gave the gift of life through his organ and tissue donation. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.