WALTER HENRY DORAN

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WALTER HENRY DORAN At home with Molly, sitting in the sunshine overlooking the golf course on May 27, 2006, of heart failure. The last 2 1/2 years together in Courtenay were happy and contented, a perfect end to a wonderful life together. Still here with Mom to celebrate his life are sons, Bill (Diane) and Jim (Karen); daughters, Maureen and Kathy; beloved grandchildren, Yacine, Mimi, Jamal, Mike, Michelle, Liz, James and Heather; and scores of friends and relatives in the Vancouver area, Squamish, Winnipeg, Powell River, and Courtenay/Comox. He loved his family as we loved him. Family gatherings were always filled with laughter, fuelled by Dad's wry sense of humour. He believed you could never have enough education and was always upgrading his, from a Bachelor's in Engineering, to a Master's in Computer Science, to a Master's in Engineering. He loved a great debate and we loved to argue with him. His love of words was instilled in us and we are proud to be passing that on to the next generation. He loved golf, so much so that he'd squeeze as many strokes into a game as he could. Computers were Dad's challenge and became his life work. Something of a pioneer, he was on the mainframes at B.C. Hydro in the late 1950's, head of User Services at the University of Manitoba Computer Science Department, and he finished his engineering and computer career with Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Department of Highways. But that was not the end of his time with the computer. He was an early adopter of the PC and was never without the latest upgrades. He could program anything. He could have been the poster boy for exploding the stereotype of out-of-date seniors and the digital age. Wally was born February 7, 1920 in Vancouver, to William and Jessie: schooled at Kits, Vancouver Tech, UBC and U of M. He served with the RCAF in the Second World War. He and Molly were married July 3, 1946 in Fort Macleod, AB and were always devoted to each other. Dad was boundlessly generous with his emotional and financial support for his family, always there for us, without qualification. A shy, thoughtful, fair and decent man of the highest integrity, his self-effacing humour warmed hearts and won smiles, as all his friends will attest. We cherish our time with him. We will celebrate Dad's life with joy and laughter in Winnipeg on Sunday, July 2, 2006. All those wishing to share a memory are invited to join us between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. at 172 Jim Smith Dr. In lieu of flowers, please contribute in Walter's name to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 03, 2006