The Labelle family is left with nothing but questions, and a great deal of heartache, after thieves inexplicably made off with the sign outside a locally-owned auto delearship in Cornwall.
The family of the late Larry Labelle was shocked to learn this weekend that thieves had somehow disconnected and lowered a large sign for A-1 Auto Sales on Tollgate Road and stolen it Sunday.
Larry Labelle, who started the business more than 10 years ago, died last month following a battle with cancer and his family says it's a piece of notalgia they can't ever replace.
"It hurts," said Labelle's son Joshua in an interview. "It's hard to put into words. I'm taken aback. There's no cost attached to it.
"In fact that's the whole thing. There's no monetary amount to it."
The wooden sign had been re-attached to its supports earlier this year and Joshua said it had been securely fixed in place.
Witnesses at a nearby gas station report seeing a pair of individuals drive up in a truck and remove the sign before speeding away.
Joshua and his brother Larry Jr. had planned to use the sign as a small tribute to their father who spent many long nights trying to make a living selling cars.
"He was definitely a hard worker," said Joshua. "He made just enough for he and my mom to live off of."
A-1 Auto Sales was closed shortly after Labelle's passing.
Police have been contacted regarding the theft. If anyone has any information concerning the sign, they are urged to contact the Cornwall Community Police Service at 613-933-5000.
