WALTER ZATORSKY

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WALTER ZATORSKY To the great sorrow of his family, Walter Zatorsky passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital on Friday, March 28, 2003. He was born in Winnipeg in 1926. He was a true north-ender and lived there all of his life, attending Norquay (elementary) School and St. Johns High School. He loved music, and like many kids of immigrant parents, took music lessons, beginning on violin. When one of the local bands required a bass player, he switched to tuba and later, to baritone. As a teenager, he played with the North Star Band, and later with the Army and Navy Band, The Winnipeg Grenadier Band, Eagles band, Winnipeg Concert Orchestra, Belgian Club Band, Winnipeg Concert Band, and for 19 years with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Classical and band music were two of Walters first loves, but he also enjoyed performing with many other groups such as the strolling musicians in Eatons, and although he would probably not have been recognized, as one of the clown musicians at Breakfast with Santa. Walters parents began to realize early on that music was not his only forte, when as a kid he began to experiment with anything scientific or electrical. When projects like telephone wires between friends houses, wiring door knobs, and a diathermy machine to cure his mothers rheumatism, and countless other works became passe, Walter obtained a compressor and converted his parents old ice box into an electrical refrigerator. It was then that his mother began to acknowledge his expertise. Walter later obtained his radio, electrical and television certification. He was employed as a radio technician at Radiolabs, and later at Manitoba Hydro and Winnipeg Hydro. He was predeceased by his mother Katherine in 1981 and his father Fred in 1995, both who were from Ukraine. Walter leaves to mourn his wife of 53 years Julie (Sigrun), son Rick (Fran), daughter Kathy Youngson (Doug), granddaughter Kristine Zatorsky, and grandsons, Ryan and Erik Youngson. He also leaves a sister Jennie Middleton (Doug) and their family. Walter also leaves behind many caring relatives, in-laws, and friends. Memorial service will be at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. on Wednesday, April 2 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Walter to St. Johns High School Band Program, 401 Church Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1C4, or to the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter, 3062 Portage Ave., R3K 0Y1. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 31, 2003