Nolan Lalonde (Facebook)

By Derek Craddock

IN MEMORY

‘He had a great heart’: Family and residents remember P.A. man and his impact on local youth

Feb 6, 2024 | 2:10 PM

A Prince Albert man’s longtime impact is still remembered nearly two weeks after his sudden passing.

Nolan Lalonde who spent years as a security guard at Gateway Mall and worked at the Eagles Nest Youth Ranch passed away on Jan. 24.

News of his death prompted a wave of condolences on social media with thousands of people sharing their thoughts and best memories of the man whose nickname was Goldberg.

“Because he was this big muscular guy, he was bald head and mustache and he looked like the wrestler Goldberg,” said local artist John Brady McDonald who recalled his many conversations with Lalonde at the Gateway Mall.

McDonald worked for about 10 years at the Youth Activity Centre inside the old Margo Fournier Centre, directly across from Gateway Mall.

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He remembered his days as a teenager, constantly spending time in the mall. McDonald said Lalonde was the only guard that didn’t scare him.

“He had a huge heart,” he said. “When you’re dealing with mall security most of the time, particularly back then, they weren’t exactly the nicest people to deal with. There was a lot of anger, a lot of temper, a lot of power tripping.”

“In today’s society, you hear so much negativity about street people, about the homeless. They’re not viewed as human beings, they’re viewed as a problem, as an inanimate object, as a problem that needs to be dealt with and Nolan would never forget that you were a human being.”

McDonald was one of many people who took to social media to share their memories and offer condolences to Lalonde’s family.

“My broken heart goes out to everyone who had the pleasure to know him,” said one post “He’s the greatest of the great and would do anything to make sure you were ok and had what you need.”

“You would share in anyone’s personal victories and accomplishments and compassionately share in anyone’s hardships and challenges while imparting wisdom to go with any situation shared in that moment. You were one of the good guys.”

“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the unexpected death of a great man, devoted father, passionate friend, supporting son and loving brother.”

That post came from Nolan’s brother Kevin who spoke to paNOW on behalf of the family.

Kevin, who currently lives in Ontario, said it has been an emotional time for him and his family but seeing the positive messages on social media has brought a bright spot to his days.

“One of the posts had 2,000 views of a video, so, for just a small kid in a small town everybody’s coming together,” he said. He added he has not seen one negative comment about his brother on these social media posts.

Aside from his work with youth and how he interacted with and respected those on the street and the city’s homeless, Kevin said his brother will best be remembered as a family man who gave everything for his kids.

“He has a young boy and a young girl that were born and raised in P.A. and I think if everybody remembers who he was through who his kids are, I think that’s a good way to keep his memory going,” he said.

“The loss for his family is indescribable and my heart goes out to his family,” added McDonald. “They lost a huge of their lives and as a community.”

Kevin and the rest of the Lalonde have set up an account for monetary donations for Nolan’s family and this is the only legitimate fundraiser they’re approving.

You can e-transfer to tycell383@gmail.com

Eagles Nest Youth Ranch did not want to comment on Nolan’s passing for confidentiality reasons only saying their hearts are broken.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com