JOHN FRANCIS WALKER

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JOHN FRANCIS WALKER December 19, 1929 - March 12, 2004 John Francis Walker died in Pinawa Hospital, leaving his wife Dorothy; son John Lawson (Milana) and daughter Sarah Lillias Panasiuk (Rene) and granddaughters, Abigail and Shelby. His only brother Edwin (Wanda) lives in Victoria, BC. Born in Crosby (Liverpool) United Kingdom, John graduated from the University of Wales with a PhD. in physics. He first worked for U.K. Atomic Energy Research Est., Sellafield. In 1964, he emigrated to Deep River, ON where he worked with A.E.C.L. in 1965, with W.N.R.E. in Pinawa until his early retirement in 1985. He enjoyed many activities including backpacking, camping, sailing, photography and ham radio (VE4 WX). He was a lover of arts and culture. He served on the Library Board in Pinawa and was made a lifetime member of the Manitoba Library Trustees Association and honorary member of Eastman Community Computing. During the 1997 flood, he helped with radio-communication in Letellier, MB and with the Eastman Summer Games. However, his greatest adventure was when he and Dorothy went as volunteer English teachers to the Czech Republic 1990 after the Velvet Revolution. The experience was so rewarding that one year later, they returned to teach in the Technical University of Ostrava for another 18 months. All who got to know this gentle, quiet man were aware of his qualities and his subversive humour. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Johns life will be held on Monday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the F.W. Gilbert School. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of ones choice. SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or Mb. toll free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2004