WALTER (WALLY) ALFONS GLOWACKI

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WALTER (WALLY) ALFONS GLOWACKI September 23, 1916 - November 20, 2009 After a sudden decline in health, Wally passed away in his sleep on a rainy Friday evening at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. He was born to William and Ksenia (nee Matwichuk), Polish immigrants wed in Winnipeg in August, 1914. Ksenia passed in 1953, followed by William in 1962. Wally is also predeceased by his brothers Stan and Julian, infant brother Michael, and by sisters Cecilia and Mary. He is survived by sisters Terry, Bernice and Helen, as well as three generations of nieces and nephews numbering 36 at last count. Wally enlisted in 1942 and served as a navigator on a Lancaster bomber in Squadron 405. Those of us who heard him tell of the Pathfinders and their perilous missions over Germany knew the stuff he was made of. Wally shrugged off talk of courage and put it down to luck and his commitment to do right by his crew. Good fortune followed him west after the war. He met and eventually wed the lovely Marion Schwam, the spring in his step until she passed in November, 1990. Wally spent 34 years at the Vancouver Province newspaper, making his debut in the composing room at a time when type was set by hand and anyone who was anyone knew at least one reliable bootlegger. Wally was a generous friend to family and local charities alike. He was a good man living a good life, always happy to share a beer or lend a book, to tell a joke (no matter how old or bad), to find the wonder in a sunset from his White Rock balcony. He was the senior member of our clan. He knew something about everything. So it is that we have lost more than just a man. We have lost the picture window to our past. Rest easy, navigator. We'll do our best to find our way from here. Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Peace Arch and Abbotsford Hospitals. Cremation has taken place. No service by request. Victory Memorial Park was in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 27, 2009