WALTER STANLEY GALKA

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WALTER STANLEY GALKA December 29, 1932 - January 1, 2014 It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Walter 'Wally' Galka. Walter was born at Walkleyburg, Manitoba to Rozalia and Joseph Galka and was the youngest of nine siblings. During Wally's early years he worked on the family farm and attended Bright Star and Happy Thought schools. Following high school, Wally worked with Manitoba Hydro for a short period of time installing transmission lines. For a brief period afterward he was enrolled in pilot training with the RCAF where he flew Harvards at CFB Moose Jaw. In 1956, his career took him to Regina, SK where he became a member of the second class of air traffic controllers with Transport Canada in an era when guided air navigation used fewer and more simple navigation aids, and the volume of air traffic was considerably less than it is today. Early into his career he met Jean. They married in 1959, and soon started a family. In 1964, Wally's career path took him from Regina Tower to the Winnipeg Area Control Centre, or terminal, where he maintained aircraft separation on various sectors using radar and procedural separation standards. In 1969, the family moved back to Regina where Wally assumed the position of chief supervisor of Regina Tower, a responsibility which he held until 1984, when he and Jean moved to Winnipeg where he worked as a training coordinator with Transport Canada until his retirement in 1992. During his 36 year tenure as a controller Walter never had an incident and was responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious movement of thousands of flights and millions of passengers and crews. Despite the stress of the job, Wally always had a sense of humour and an air of playfulness about him; attributes which he maintained up to his passing. Though work occupied much of his time in those early years, he did find time for his family and friends. A drive in the country out to places such as Buffalo Pound Provincial Park, or Craven was a typical family outing where we would take the family dog, Max, out for a run on weekends. In his younger years he could be seen tossing a baseball back and forth with sons Brian and Mark during calm, summer evenings in Regina. Summer vacations when the boys were on school break typically consisted of hooking up the camper trailer and heading off to undiscovered destinations in the western United States. Not only could air traffic control be stressful, but hauling a Skylark trailer with a wife, two teenage boys and a barking hound across the Golden Gate Bridge could have similar effects. Wally handled it well though. In his spare time he also enjoyed playing pool, canoeing or finishing a rec room at home. Wally loved nature and was proud of his rural roots. In later years he and Jean would frequently go for a drive in the Interlake area or a walk in St. Vital Park in Winnipeg. Wally is survived by his wife Jean, sons Mark and Brian, sister Sophie, and brothers Charlie and Edward, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Rozalia and Joseph, as well as his sisters Amelia and Mary, and brothers John, Stanley and infant Walter who died shortly after birth. Donations can be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association. Thank-you to the nurses and caregivers at St. Boniface Hospital, Victoria General Hospital and the Misericordia Health Care Centre, Interim Care, Cornish Two, for their kindness and care during Walter's stay. Interment will take place at St. Vital Cemetery, Winnipeg, at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2014