Obituary of Walter MELNYK

November 12, 1921 – December 02, 2011 Walter Melnyk, 90, beloved husband of Mary, peacefully passed away at home on December 2nd, 2011 surrounded by loving family. Walter was born November 12, 1921, in a farmhouse 6 miles east of Rosthern, Saskatchewan, to Sam and Annie (nee Krysak) Melnyk. He attended normal school at the City College in Saskatoon and graduated in 1941 with a teaching degree. In 1942 he volunteered for military duty. Walter was a Lieutenant Signals officer in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War. He served aboard the HMCS Belleville based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was on Convoy Duty on the mid Atlantic Ocean, from Halifax to St. John’s, Newfoundland, and on to Londonderry, Ireland. Walter met Mary in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1944, while she was serving in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. They were married at King’s College Chapel on March 16th, 1945 in full military attire. He worked for thirty-seven years as an employee of Canada Packers, along with being a member of The Royal Canadian Legion #264 for forty-four years. He enjoyed golfing with the family and critiquing hockey from the press box with his brother-in-law Doug. Once he retired he became a world class e-mailer. Walter is survived by his loving wife of sixty-seven years, Mary (nee Barkley), and children; Gary (Susan) of Toronto, Dean (Karen) of Calgary, Gayle (John Michalyshyn) of Canmore, his grandchildren; Josh and Melissa of Calgary, Rodger and Mary-Jo (Pradeep) of Toronto, Nicholas and Noah of Canmore, along with great-granddaughter Taylor and loving sister Mary Dudder of Calgary. He is survived by brothers-in-law Doug Barkley (Marianne Brandow), Ron (Edith) Barkley and Stan Martin, as well as sisters-in-law Velma and Ollie Barkley; and numerous nieces, nephews and cherished friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents; two infant brothers; sister Sally and Don Beer, as well as brother-in-law Don Dudder. “The whole country is in mourning for a sailor that died.“ Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Thanks to Dr. D. Reuther and the staff of the Tom Baker cancer center, the nurses of palliative care with special thanks to Lana and Daelin and family doctor Keith Laatsch. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. In living memory of Walter Melnyk, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200