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WALTER JOHN PINDERA
Date of Passing: Feb 20, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWALTER JOHN PINDERA 1933 - 2014 Walter John (Wally) Pindera passed away suddenly but peacefully on February 20 at the St. James home where he and his beloved wife Mary (1934 - 1993) raised their family. Funeral mass will be held Wednesday, February 26, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2400 Portage Avenue, the Winnipeg parish where Wally and Mary celebrated the faith they cherished and the Roman Catholic community they long served as Eucharistic ministers. Wally lived life with purpose. In many roles throughout his rich life, Wally always lived his values of personal responsibility and social justice. From his childhood, the hard-working eldest son of Polish immigrants raising a family in the railway towns of Depression-era Saskatchewan, to his final chapter as Grampa Wally with the booming voice perhaps better suited for the bargaining table than for the kids he loved to bear-hug, Wally brought passion to life. Wally journeyed well through life, visiting all of Manitoba and Canada as a labour leader with the Manitoba Teachers Society and, mostly in retirement, as a global trekker who visited 57 countries (according to the detailed notes he fastidiously left in his home office). Wally was predeceased by his wife Mary in 1993, by his father Karol in 1996 and his mother Joanna in 1999, and by his grandsons Francis and Julien in 2009. Left to mourn, remember, and follow in his footsteps are his friends and colleagues, his close friend of nearly 20 years, Jean Belows, his brother Joe and sister Donna and their families, and especially - Loreen, Lisa, Greg, Carla, Joanne and Mark - along with their partners and Wally's 13 grandchildren: Chloe, Ana, Lena, Jayne, Joseph, Erik, Sophia, Matt, Luke, Grace, Theo, Olive and Winnie. We miss you already, Big Wally! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Wally to Winnipeg Harvest or to Development and Peace.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 24, 2014
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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Mr. Pindera was my teacher in Grade 11 in Flin Flon. He was such a good teacher and supportive to every student in the class. He influenced me a lot--and I became a teacher and taught high school in Manitoba for 36 years before I retired. God speed, Mr. Pindera--you were a wonderful role model! - Posted by: Carol Mathers (Former Student) on: Jul 07, 2014
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Thank you Walley for all you have done for me and for thousands of Manitoba Teachers over the years. We will not forget. - Posted by: Ralph Cibula (Coworker in MTS work, friend) on: Feb 27, 2014
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Wally is remembered as a wonderful colleague and a reminder that greatness resides very close to home. Being out of the country at this time, we nevertheless are there in our thoughts and prayers with your family and friends. Linda and Aubrey - Posted by: Aubrey and Linda Asper (Friends and colleagues) on: Feb 26, 2014
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I first met Wally when he was advisor to MTS negotiation committees. I was impressed by his intelligence and character. He inspired confidence and was able to make the issue at hand more important than the personalities at the table. His was an impressive and effective skill and style and I have never forgotten him. In recent years when we reconnected on the golf course where his commaraderie, sense of humour and joie de vivre made it a pleasure to be swatting that little white ball. Wally, thank you. You will be missed. - Posted by: Ed Labossiere (acquaintance) on: Feb 26, 2014
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Deep regrets, Walter, that I cannot be at your laying to rest, but stuck in Africa. As wonderful a friend, husband, father, & grandfather that you were, you were an equally wonderful father-in-law, better than any fella could hope for. At any rate, it warms my heart knowing the send-off you'll receive, & the love attendant then. RIP. - Posted by: Christopher Rafuse (Son-in-law) on: Feb 26, 2014
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We both had the pleasure of working with Wally at The Manitoba Teachers' Society for many years. Tom also enjoyed many rounds of golf, years of annual fishing trips and many hands of bridge. One always knew when Wally was around with his booming voice and friendly greetings. Wally lived his belief in social justice and collective action. He is gone far too soon and we will miss his warm companionship. We extend to his children and their families our deepest condolences. - Posted by: Tom Ulrich & Mariette Ferré (Friends and colleagues) on: Feb 25, 2014
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Wally was a great friend and a inspiration to anyone he touched .... So long dear friend I will always think of you and the talks we had - Posted by: Ward Dallman (Friend) on: Feb 25, 2014
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My condolences to the Pindera family. I first met Wally in the late 1980s and remember him as a man who deeply loved his family and cared for his community. He was a gentleman and a great Canadian. John Harvard - Posted by: John Harvard (Friend) on: Feb 24, 2014
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Wally started me on the collective bargaining road. I was always impressed by his by his knowledge, passion and enthusiasm. And he loved lamb. - Posted by: Alf Brooks (Friend and colleague) on: Feb 24, 2014
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What wonderful experiences we shared with both Wally and Mary beginning in the 60s as close neighbours. Just recently we had the pleasure of exchanging waves and smiles as Wally drove by, the same old Wally. That is why we are now so surprised to know that we have lost a significant part of our personal much diminished community. Wally and Mary, blessed with productive lives well-lived, rest in peace dear friends. - Posted by: HAROLD and KAY McCORT (Friends and neighbours) on: Feb 23, 2014
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Farewell, dear friend. So many happy memories through the years beginning in Flin Flon in 1955 where we met at Hapnot Collegiate. Such a happy recollection of watching Wally twirling pretty Mary around the dance floor at the school gym. The world is a much better world for your having been in it. In loving memory from his old, old friends, Tom and Nydia - Posted by: tom and nydia peterson (old friends) on: Feb 22, 2014