WALTER GRAY BALLANTYNE

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WALTER GRAY BALLANTYNE On Saturday, December 12, 2015, we lost our dad to a well fought battle with pneumonia. He passed away at Deer Lodge Centre at the age of 91 years. Walter will be lovingly remembered by his children, Cameron (Bev) Ballantyne and Alison (Wally) Lecuyer. He will be sadly missed and remembered by grandchildren, Colin (Deana) Ballantyne, Bradley Ballantyne, Morgan Lecuyer, Brandon Lecuyer, J'aime (Wes) Kilberry, Jocelyn (Sean) Legault and Nicole Legault; as well as great-grandchildren, Easton and Tamsen Kilberry and Peyton Ballantyne. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, in 2013, and his beloved sisters, Betty and Lil. On August 14, 1924, Walter was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He grew up the son of a Scottish blacksmith and enjoyed a very happy childhood with his two sisters, of which he often spoke with throughout his adult years. At the young age of 16, Walter left home on the back of a train and rode it with his buddy Keith Thompson all the way to Toronto, Ontario to join the army. There he joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. Walter was in C' Company, 2nd Division, Infantry. He fought in France; was shot two days before his 20th birthday. He recovered in an Army hospital before returning to battle with his same platoon. Walter went on to Belgium and was part of the Canadians to liberate Holland. Upon returning from the war in September 1945, he travelled to Winnipeg, Manitoba to meet his mother who was living there at the time. He spent the next year in Timmons, Ontario working in the mines. Walter then came back to Manitoba to begin his career with Environment Canada, Department of Transport. He first worked at the Winnipeg Airport in the tower, letting pilots know of weather conditions before their flights. Walter then became a Meteorological Inspector and spent many years of his career travelling to the Arctic to inspect weather stations in the high North. He truly loved the Arctic and the people he met there. Walter married our mom, Dorothy from Gimli, and built their home in Stonewall, Manitoba. It was there they raised their two children, Cam and Alison. Our home was filled with everything Scottish, due to my dad's pride in his Scottish heritage. Walter loved to hunt and spent many happy hours with his friend and co-worker, Frank Aiken, and later with his family, hunting in Spruce Woods. He loved trees, planting many different species in his yard, as well as his great love of dogs. Walter always had one with him, sitting on his lap, or riding in his vehicle with him. He enjoyed many years after retirement, curling with the great group from Stony Mountain, and spending time every day at the Stonewall Legion. In January of 2012, Walter moved into Deer Lodge Centre, where he was able to share a room with Dorothy until her passing in 2013. Dad made many friends at Deer Lodge, and was well liked by the staff there. A private family interment will be held in the spring of 2016 in Rockwood Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of the Deer Lodge Centre, Tower 5 and especially the staff of 3 East for the compassion and care that they gave our dad throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Deer Lodge Centre, 3 East, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements 204.897.4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik's online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 19, 2015