Obituary of Lawrence Warren

Passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness on Friday, December 10th, 2010. Alan (RCAF) and his predeceased wife Meta (CIC) transferred to the Canadian Army Shows near the end of WWII. He and his soul mate Meta toured England, Holland and Germany in the second largest army show unit entertaining thousands of Canadian service men and women. Shortly after the war, Alan joined Canadian Tire Corporation, where he worked with the founding Billes brothers in Toronto, before opening a new store in St. Catharines. He then returned to Toronto to work at home office in dealer relations before taking over the franchise in North Bay which he operated with Meta for almost 30 years. Widely known as "Mr. Canadian Tire" he was a vast repository of CTC history and was highly regarded by his fellow dealers being twice elected President of the CTC Dealers' Association. He also served on the board of Nipissing University and was a frequent guest speaker at Canadore College. Deeply loved and survived by his three children, Sandra Warren Nesbitt, Cara Macanuel (James) of Toronto and Larry (Darlene) of North Bay. Alan will be forever missed by his grandchildren, Karen (Nesbitt), Aaron, Kimberley, Caralinda (Macanuel), Alan, Laura, Cynthia, Elizabeth (Warren) and his great grandson Wyatt (Macanuel). Surviving Alan are his two sisters Marguerite Buckland (Pat) and Shirley Grant (Gord). He was predeceased by his brother John. As per our father's wishes there will be a private family celebration of his life. If desired, donations may be made in Alan's memory to Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave., Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9.