28 APRIL 1922 – 22 APRIL 2013

Walter died suddenly at his home in Victoria on 22 April 2013 six days short of his 91st birthday. He leaves behind his beloved wife Elizabeth, sister Janet and dear brother Stan in Northampton, England and long-time friend Gilbert (George) Armstrong in Florida.

Walter was a scientific glass blower at University College, London when he emigrated in 1965 to start the glass blowing shop in the Physics Department at the University of New Brunswick. It was on the ‘RMS Carinthia’ that he met Elizabeth who was en route to teach in Saskatchewan. She was immediately attracted to the blue eyed tanned man at the other end of the table. They had a whirlwind courtship in Montreal, Winnipeg and Fredericton and were married in July 1966 in Ontario by Charles Middleton, Elizabeth’s cousin.

Elizabeth began teaching at Fredericton High School in 1967.

Together they embraced the Canadian way of life travelling to Montreal and Toronto at Christmas and camping down the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts in the summer.

At this time Walter started doing artistic glass and his work soon became a regular feature at local craft fairs and at Boyce Market. He was a member of the American Scientific Glass Blowers Association and New Brunswick Craft Council participating in the Mactaquac and Christmas craft markets.

Walter enjoyed his work and with his quick wit, great knowledge of history and geography he was a popular figure with a variety of PhD students.

After a wonderful life in Fredericton Walter retired in 1988 at the age of 66. They chose to move to Victoria, BC where he had visited his best friend Arnold Eisenberg (Harry). They kept in contact with their friends in Fredericton.

They embraced their new life taking sailing and Spanish classes, travelling, cruising, delivering meals-on-wheels and swimming at the Crystal Pool for about 15 years.

Walter was a socialist at heart, not a church goer but with his own creed of conduct. He was a man of enthusiasms which he embraced wholeheartedly. He loved books, music of all kinds, people, art, the sea, was a very good critic and loved to tease. He loved life and will be remembered by family and friends at a memorial service to be held in McCalls Downtown (Johnson at Vancouver Streets), on Thursday 2 May 2013 at 2pm. Condolences may be offered below.

www.mccallbros.com

  • Cheryl Robertson

    Dear Elizabeth
    Please accept my sympathy on the passing of Walter after a long and full life. I remember going to social events at your home and how you and Walter could banter so adeptly and lovingly with each other. It was plain to see that you were the love of each other’s lives. I also remember the going away party for you and how sad I felt when you left. I am glad that you and Walter enjoyed so many years out West. Please know that you are in my thoughts at this time. Much love and affection. Cheryl

  • Hollie & Ruth Craig

    Dear Liz
    We are thinking of you in this time of loss .We have fond memories of both of you . We still treasure Walter’s glass ducks. We would love to see you when you come to N.B.
    Ruth & Hollie Craig .

  • Stella Higgins

    My sympathies, Elizabeth on the loss of your husband. It must have been a great shock to you.
    Thinking of you….Stella

  • Obituaries

    Dear Elizabeth,

    My sincere condolences.

    Rosemary Tait

  • David Desjardins

    Sorry to hear of Walter’s passing in the Gleaner this week. I have many fond memories of Walter when I was a grad student in chemistry. Asking Walter to repair my glassware was a difficult task for me in my first year but as I got to know him the task got easier and I appreciated the many chats we had. He was a great glassblower and will be missed.

    Dave

  • Marlene and Israel Unger

    Dear Elizabeth

    It was sad to read of Walter’s death in The Daily Gleaner,we will be thinking of you on Thursday. It is hard to believe that it has been 25 years since you left Fredericton.

    Marlene and Israel

  • Peter & Alison Middleton

    Hi Betty, we were so sorry to hear of Walter’s passing. I only wish I had met him when I was not a shy, spotty wee lad. The first time I remember meeting Walter was, I think, ( Remember I am getting older too) was in Rosslyn Avenue in East Kilbride.

    The exact location is not that important, but his smile was, as when Walter’s name was mentioned it was always that and always will be, his smile that springs to mind.

    Please be sure that we will all be thinking of you on Thursday and I hope you can get some comfort from that thought. I would think that since Walter was a Liverpool fan he will agree with me that “You’ll never walk alone”.
    Love from
    Peter & Alison

  • Shiela Watson White & John White

    Dear Elizabeth,
    John and I were dismayed to see the notice of your dear husband’s death. We wanted to let you know that you are in our prayers during this very sad, and difficult, period in your life. I did not know Walter as well as I did you, but he was always very pleasant when I dealt with him at FPL which he visited so often.
    Peace and God’s blessing.
    Shiela Watson White and John White,
    Saint Andrew’s Church

  • Walter P Brereton

    To Elizabeth,thinking of you at this sad time,you are in our prayers. The Crosby Breretons.

  • Physics Department, UNB

    Our condolences on the passing of Walter. The Physics Department appreciated his talent and his years of service to UNB.

  • Dwight Hornibrook

    Dear Elizabeth,

    I am sad to hear of Walter’s passing. He was a wonderful man. During the time when he worked with Dad at UNB I always enjoyed our conversations about soccer(football). If I remember correctly he was a big fan of Liverpool FC. He made some wonderful glass ships for our home and several of them are still on display at 693 Montgomery St. More than that it was his warm smile and the twinkle in his eye that let us know that he cared about his friends and enjoyed spending time with us. I will always remember him and you of course with great fondness. We are better people for having shared time with him. God Bless.

    Dwight

  • Ardath and Kellie Shand

    We are so very sorry to hear of your loss, Elizabeth. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to attend the service as we will both be at work at that time. May you feel the support and comfort of your friends and family.

  • William and Isabella Stewart

    Bill and Isabella will always have fond memories of their happy meetings with Walter and Elizabeth in Canada and Australia.
    Walter’s keen sense of humour always added to the enjoyment of such occasions.
    We are grateful that our daughter and son-in-law(Alison and Jeffery) are able to attend the memorial service for Walter,on their own and our behalf.
    Please accept our deepest sympathy Elizabeth.
    sister Isabella and Bill

  • Lyn MacBeath

    Elizabeth: thinking of you at this time of loss. I knew of Walter the most through my mother (Marie), though did have a few short chats with him sometimes at the Chemistry Dept when I was an undergrad at UNB. He was a legend there. I enjoyed his humour. I remember visiting you in Victoria after your retirement and appreciating how full your lives were. Together you knew how to enjoy what Victoria – and life – had to offer. What a spectacular view from your cozy apartment.

    My father (George) died recently in Fredericton at 89. I will be traveling to Fredericton at the end of the week and will bring Marie back with me for a two-month visit. In June my daughter, Nancy, will be graduating from our local university here in Kamloops.

    Best wishes to you and family at this sad time.
    Lyn

  • Shiela Watson White & John White

    Dear Elizabeth,
    We were dismayed to learn of your sad news in the Gleaner this a.m. I didn’t know Walter as well as I knew you, but remember him well as a patron of Fn. Public Library. The latter has gone through several major renos since you left. Strangely enough, your name popped into my head over the past couple of weeks – no reason why especially, but I like remembering nice people. Saint Andrew’s Church is going along in a manner of speaking, but that’s a whole other story, for some other time. It has had some revamping too. Our older child, Colin, is now at the BC Children’s Hosp. in Vancouver, and has had his kidney transplant for 13 years. God is good! I know you will have made wonderful friends in Victoria – and what’s not to like about B.C. so, therefore, I hope you won’t feel too lonely without Walter whom I enjoyed. I know you realize that God will have His loving arms around you all this while of sadness. You will be in our prayers.
    God bless,
    Shiela and John White

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