Obituary of JOHN JOSEPH WALKTY

JOHN JOSEPH WALKTY John Joseph Walkty son of the late John and Evelyn Wuchti was born in Winnipeg on March 5, 1918. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Deer Lodge Centre on February 13, 2012. He leaves to mourn his sons Gordon (Charlotte) and their children Joël (Régine), Léah and Mélanie (Tyler), Ian (Kathy) and their children Andrew and Scott, and his two great grandchildren, Gabrielle and Élodie (daughters of Joël and Régine). He also leaves behind his nieces and nephew Debbie, Penny and Bobby, children of his late sister Anne Schoettle and her husband Eddie. He was predeceased by his first wife Betty, his second wife Grace and her son Patrick. Although his name was John, Dad liked to go by the name of Joe. He grew up in Winnipeg during the depression and attended St. Johns High School. After graduation he became a mailman. When World War II broke out, Dad signed up with the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained as a navigator. He flew on the Lancaster Bomber and was shot down on his fifth mission (D-Day), then was captured by the Germans and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp in Poland. As the war was ending in Europe and the guards fled the camp, Dad and a group of fellow prisoners trekked from Poland to the western line and freedom. He was then able to return home to his wife Betty, and secure a job at Customs with the Government of Canada. He stayed there for his entire career and retired in 1976. He really loved his job and would often chuckle as he tried from time to time to encourage his grandchildren to work for the Government. Joe and Betty bought a home on Cathedral Avenue in the North End and started their family. They were blessed with two sons Gordon and Ian. They eventually moved to Moorgate Street in St. James and enjoyed the area and the neighbors as their family grew. Joe was a loving and attentive husband to Betty and a great Dad to his boys. They each have fond memories of their home life, the sports that he involved them in, camping trips they took together both in Manitoba and across Canada, as well as trips to the Whiteshell to catch the ever elusive fish. Betty passed away in 1974 and Dad demonstrated an inner strength and resiliency which enabled him to overcome his loss and continue to make the most of life. Eventually Dad met and married Grace French. She became a wonderful companion for him, and they golfed, spent winters in Arizona and developed many new friendships together. He was known as an able guide for hikes in the desert and helping in the Windsor Park library in Mesa. Dad and Grace treasured their times together during their active and pleasant retirement. Dad was an optimistic person and his glass was always half full. He loved to hike, read, play golf and build things (like the family garage and barbeque pit) and enjoyed life to the fullest. He also volunteered with youth as a Big Brother for many years. In his later years, as with many war veterans, the impact of the past had a way of returning to one’s mind. Dad became an advocate of the Government’s effort to pass on war experiences to the younger generation. Through the Memory Project, Dad spoke of his years in the Polish war camp at many elementary and junior high schools. He enjoyed doing this and was asked to return many times. His recording of these experiences is now in the Memory Project Archive online for his family to hear and remember him by. As a family we are very proud of the way that our Dad has faced life’s challenges. He was a good man and most of all he was very kind. He survived numerous health problems, but was always good-natured, sociable, and adaptable in new situations. His last three years were spent at Deer Lodge Centre. We would like to thank the entire staff on Tower 6 for their warmth and care, and the Centre in general for the social activities, therapists, cafeteria staff and everyone who worked there. A special thanks to his companion Joey, who would read to him every morning. Everyone's efforts to provide Dad with a quality of life at Deer Lodge Centre were deeply appreciated by our family. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 3, 2012 at 11:00 am at Deer Lodge Worship Room, 2nd floor Deer Lodge Centre, 2109 Portage Avenue. If friends so wish donations in memory of Dad can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3L 0K6 or to a charity of their choice.