QUOTE
Paying Tribute to a Life of Service
The house at 829 Earl Road that will be dedicated in honor of the late Al Pontius and the Pontius family. Photo by Tim Moran
Group home to be named in honor of Pontiuses
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY – His father never forgot his roots, says Gil Pontius, son of the late Al Pontius, founder of the entity that grew into Al’s Valueland.
Pontius opened his first store in Michigan City at 21 after serving with the Navy in World War II. That enterprise grew into a chain that now employs hundreds of people.
Al Pontius died Dec. 30, 2006, at 81 in Florida. Gil now serves as president of Lakeshore Foods, parent company of the Al’s stores.
Although Al Pontius grew his business into a healthy success story, his early years were lived in deep poverty.
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“(Al’s family was) so poor that they sometimes couldn’t afford to buy a bar of soap,” Gil says.
When his business made him comfortable, Gil added, his dad never refused to help those who struggle in the world and was especially devoted to doing what he could to make life a little easier for people with disabilities.
In recognition of how Al Pontius lived his life, Parents and Friends, which provides housing and care services to people with disabilities, will name a group home at 829 Earl Road in honor of “Al Pontius and the Pontius Family.”
Naming the house for Al and his family is completely appropriate, says Al’s great friend, Burton “Bud” Ruby.
Widely admired for his own bountiful gift giving to the community, Ruby noted, “I have always admired Al’s generous nature and his commitment to Michigan City – without counting the cost. He was a giant in the community.”
When Al died, his daughter-in-law, Cindy Pontius, Gil’s wife, had a similar thought.
“Al was sort of larger than life,” she said. “He was into everything – he did it all and really experienced life.”
Sandra Alexander, Michiana Resources chief operating officer, said clients through Michiana and PAF often are the same people. They come to Michiana for job training and go to PAF for help in locating appropriate housing.
“Al not only hired our people, but he talked our programs up to other business men and women,” Alexander said. “He encouraged others to hire our people.”
Indeed, Gil describes employees who came from Michiana as “some of the best and most loyal employees we have.
“I have been to the house on Earl Road, and it is very nice and very warm,” he continues. “What is so great about the homes is that PAF provides the assistance the residents need to live as independently as possible.”
Gil and his wife have a young niece with Down’s syndrome.
Al’s good works did not stop with people with disabilities.
He also supported and raised funds for Marquette High School, the Boy Scouts and La Porte County Fair. He served on the boards of the United Way, the American Heart Association and Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Michigan City
For 10 years, he sponsored the Al Pontius Open Golf Tournament to raise funds for the local Red Cross chapter. In the nation’s bicentennial year, 1976, he sponsored the “Freedom Van,” which celebrated the nation’s 200th birthday in various places on many occasions. In that same year, he made a gift of a Liberty Bell replica that remains in City Hall.
In 1997, Pontius was honored with the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange Club and Michigan City Liberty Bell Award from the Michigan City Bar Association. He also served as grand marshal of the Michigan City Fourth of July parade.
His father loved being part of the Michigan City community, Gil recalled. As for his generation, he said, “It was in our DNA to be part of this community.”
Gil continues his father’s commitment to The Salvation Army and particularly the food pantry, and to hiring people with disabilities and other responsible community supports.
Ruby said Gil serves on the Duneland Health Council as well, the not-for-profit group formed from the sale of Memorial Hospital, which Ruby chairs.
“Gil not only inherited his father’s (charitable) mantle,” Ruby said. “He’s running with it.”
If You Go
Parents and Friends will dedicate a group home at 829 Earl Road to honor "Al Pontius and the Pontius Family from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28. A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony is at noon, and tours of the home will be offered.
The house at 829 Earl Road that will be dedicated in honor of the late Al Pontius and the Pontius family. Photo by Tim Moran
Group home to be named in honor of Pontiuses
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY – His father never forgot his roots, says Gil Pontius, son of the late Al Pontius, founder of the entity that grew into Al’s Valueland.
Pontius opened his first store in Michigan City at 21 after serving with the Navy in World War II. That enterprise grew into a chain that now employs hundreds of people.
Al Pontius died Dec. 30, 2006, at 81 in Florida. Gil now serves as president of Lakeshore Foods, parent company of the Al’s stores.
Although Al Pontius grew his business into a healthy success story, his early years were lived in deep poverty.
*
“(Al’s family was) so poor that they sometimes couldn’t afford to buy a bar of soap,” Gil says.
When his business made him comfortable, Gil added, his dad never refused to help those who struggle in the world and was especially devoted to doing what he could to make life a little easier for people with disabilities.
In recognition of how Al Pontius lived his life, Parents and Friends, which provides housing and care services to people with disabilities, will name a group home at 829 Earl Road in honor of “Al Pontius and the Pontius Family.”
Naming the house for Al and his family is completely appropriate, says Al’s great friend, Burton “Bud” Ruby.
Widely admired for his own bountiful gift giving to the community, Ruby noted, “I have always admired Al’s generous nature and his commitment to Michigan City – without counting the cost. He was a giant in the community.”
When Al died, his daughter-in-law, Cindy Pontius, Gil’s wife, had a similar thought.
“Al was sort of larger than life,” she said. “He was into everything – he did it all and really experienced life.”
Sandra Alexander, Michiana Resources chief operating officer, said clients through Michiana and PAF often are the same people. They come to Michiana for job training and go to PAF for help in locating appropriate housing.
“Al not only hired our people, but he talked our programs up to other business men and women,” Alexander said. “He encouraged others to hire our people.”
Indeed, Gil describes employees who came from Michiana as “some of the best and most loyal employees we have.
“I have been to the house on Earl Road, and it is very nice and very warm,” he continues. “What is so great about the homes is that PAF provides the assistance the residents need to live as independently as possible.”
Gil and his wife have a young niece with Down’s syndrome.
Al’s good works did not stop with people with disabilities.
He also supported and raised funds for Marquette High School, the Boy Scouts and La Porte County Fair. He served on the boards of the United Way, the American Heart Association and Franciscan St. Anthony Health – Michigan City
For 10 years, he sponsored the Al Pontius Open Golf Tournament to raise funds for the local Red Cross chapter. In the nation’s bicentennial year, 1976, he sponsored the “Freedom Van,” which celebrated the nation’s 200th birthday in various places on many occasions. In that same year, he made a gift of a Liberty Bell replica that remains in City Hall.
In 1997, Pontius was honored with the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange Club and Michigan City Liberty Bell Award from the Michigan City Bar Association. He also served as grand marshal of the Michigan City Fourth of July parade.
His father loved being part of the Michigan City community, Gil recalled. As for his generation, he said, “It was in our DNA to be part of this community.”
Gil continues his father’s commitment to The Salvation Army and particularly the food pantry, and to hiring people with disabilities and other responsible community supports.
Ruby said Gil serves on the Duneland Health Council as well, the not-for-profit group formed from the sale of Memorial Hospital, which Ruby chairs.
“Gil not only inherited his father’s (charitable) mantle,” Ruby said. “He’s running with it.”
If You Go
Parents and Friends will dedicate a group home at 829 Earl Road to honor "Al Pontius and the Pontius Family from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28. A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony is at noon, and tours of the home will be offered.