Mark Kirton, ex-Maple Leaf and fighter for ALS treatment, dies at 67

Article content

Mark Kirton, the former Maple Leaf and NHLer who waged a long struggle against ALS and became spokesman for expanded treatment for patients and their families, has died.

Former Leafs posted the news Sunday evening. Kirton, 67, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2018 and was determined to lead as normal a life as possible, including time as a real estate agent. But he also vowed to help educate the public on a condition affecting more than 3,000 Canadians.

“After such a long, hard-fought brave and gruelling battle, may he rest in peace,” one-time Leafs captain Darryl Sittler said in an e-mail to Postmedia. “Mark is an inspiration to us all. God bless him.”

Kirton’s lobbying, with the help of many friends in the NHL community, included a case for better access to medication to ease suffering and financial help for patients and caregivers.

“It breaks my heart that anyone and their family should have to go through this,” Kirton told Postmedia after the death of Leafs great and former teammate Borje Salming from ALS in 2022. “Such hopelessness and so hard to stay positive, even though there are some slow-progression meds in the field.

“Make noise every time you hear the words ALS. Be loud and try to make a difference. Sooner or later, the more people know about this, then help will come all at once, like a cavalry, and our government will have to take notice.

“We still need a better system to qualify for trials and promising drugs, faster pathways for drug approvals and more government-covered hours for home care.

“More than anything, after 100 years, we need to focus on finding a cure.”

In aid of Kirton’s funding cause, every NHL team donated a fan experience package spread through the 2024-25 and ‘25-26 seasons.

“He fought with everything he had for many years,” posted ex-Leaf Chris Kotsopoulos, who played with and against Kirton in the Wexford minor hockey organization in Toronto and later in the NHL. “A good man has left us.”

Kirton, born in Regina, was a 5-foot-10 centre, a 1978 draft pick of the Leafs. He played 266 games for Toronto, Detroit and Vancouver, ending with the Leafs’ farm team in Newmarket.

“No one fought this disease harder than Kirts,” posted former Leaf Greg Hotham. “He will be remembered for his incredible zest for life, his love for his family and his incredible determination to find a cure for ALS.”

Lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby