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

See Full Page