I'm going on my 27th year with no return of my Multiple Myeloma bone marrow cancer. Dr. Blahey was my oncologist away back in 1997 when I was first diagnosed until in remission about 3 or so years later. Sadly will be missed by many.

My name is Henry Kamei living in Calgary, Alberta Canada. In December. Of 1994,, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, stage 4b . Brilliant Dr. Blaney was my oncologist until his passing in 2019 . At the end, I was completely cancer free thereby visits to his practice for check ups were unnecessary. I just found out of his passing just by chance. May his soul rest in peace forever.

Brenda and family Art and I had a few wonderful visits with some good laughs with Walter Brian out at the Blahey farm. His spirit lives on!

My condolances to Dr. Blahey"s family. I was a Unit Clerk on E8 at the Calgary General Hospital. I feel fortunate to have known him. Although he was a man of few words and appeared of stern continence, I did get to see the humors side of him. I even remember a time he picked a husband (lol) for me!

Dr blahey saved my life in 2005..I have aplastic anemia.he was my dr until may as he told me he was retiring. Was at clinic today and they told me. He was a great dr. Iam hurting for the family as he was so happy to be retiring. I’m feeling for the family. May he rest in peace and you all recover from this great loss. Hugs to all. ❤❤ Shelley Kostner

My wife and I are saddened to hear of Dr. Blahey’s passing. He was a brilliant doctor who cared deeply about his patients and their well-being. Our relationship began 27 years ago when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I consider myself one of the people whose life he saved. For his care and devotion, I will be forever grateful. Our sincere condolences to the Blahey family.

It has been good to read and hear more about Dr. Blahey. I had complete confidence in his care and was shocked and saddened to stumble upon news of his death. My best wishes go out to all his family and those who knew him personally. As my doctor, I will miss him. Coming from the same part of Saskatchewan I felt a tie and as I got to know him, a strong sense of being in good hands. I am saddened he did not have more time for family and to do all the things he enjoyed, but he lived an amazing life and gave so much to others as a doctor. He is a man to be honoured.

We were shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Blahey. Unfortunately we were out of the city yesterday and unable to show our respect in person. Dr. Blahey had been my primary haematologist/oncologist since my diagnosis almost exactly 15 years ago. We and Dr. Blahey have been through a lot together. Nancy and I surely credit much my still being here to Dr. Blahey’s professional knowledge and experience. While he may have seemed quiet and sometimes gave a gruff impression, he was a gem to deal with; we looked forward to our regular meetings with him. There was no nonsense, but there was no shortage of care and compassion. At our last meeting in June, we thanked him immensely for everything he’d done for us and offered him good wishes for his well deserved retirement. Nancy and I sincerely thank the Blahey family for sharing Dr. Blahey with us.

Dr. Blahey treated me for my cancer diagnosed in 2005. Today I remain cancer free. Since that time I have been able to see my two sons graduate from high school and move on to university, I have enjoyed travelling with my family, enjoyed my career (even though I am an accountant)and enjoyed my life being able to share my time with friends and family. In his care, I felt confident that Dr. Blahey would do everything he could do for me and definitely felt confident in his abilities. He was referred by a physician friend of mine that did a rotation under Dr. Blahey as a medical student, Dr. Ron Cusano. Ron highly recommended Dr. Blahey upon my diagnosis. I am saddened by the news and just wanted to share the impact that he has had on my life. I am certain that he has had a similar impact on the thousands of people he would have treated during his career. My condolences to the friends and family that he enjoyed spending his time with.

Sincerely,

David Hird

Brenda my sincere condolences to you and your loved ones on this very sad day. Having worked alongside Dr. Blahey for the last twenty years I can say he is and always be in my thoughts everyday . Dr. Blahey was my mentor as well as a friend. Dr. Blahey has taught me so much over the years all of which I will treasure. Dr. Blahey was truly my inspiration. He will surely be missed by all that had the fortune of knowing him.

Shocked and very saddened to hear the news of Dr. Blahey’s passing. We were already struggling to find our patients new haematologists as we heard that Dr. Blahey was planning to retire end of year. Dr. Blahey was an excellent doctor and for whom we all had great respect. He was, whom I would call a “GP’s” specialist! Always very helpful for phone consults and ‘quicker’ appointments when necessary.

Mrs. Blahey and family, please accept our deepest heartfelt condolences.

Dr. Bakul Pujara, Cathy and staff at Southwood Medical Centre.

When I joined the hematology team at the PLC in 2006 I was surprised by this gruff, very serious and no-nonsense man, who I met on my very first day. Over time I came to understand that he was very shy, but that he had a huge heart and always hoped for the best for his patients and his colleagues. Our conversations gradually turned from advice on how to manage difficult medical problems to some of the best career advice I have ever received. I valued the time we would spend chatting before or after our clinics, especially those times when he would laugh and laugh at a funny story. I will miss him deeply. My sincerest condolences to Brenda and the rest of the Blahey family.

So sorry to hear of Walt’s passing. He was a fine hematologist, a courteous and kind friend always offering precise, accurate and good common sense advice. We enjoyed a similar sense of humour. Our world is a lesser place with his passing. Condolences to all his family.

I am a recently retired Social Worker

For 30 of my 40 years I worked along side Dr Blahey both at the Calgary General and Peter Lougheed Hospitals

I always admired his frank approach and dedication to so many

( although initially I was a little afraid of him )

I continue to feel shocked by his passing as I always believed he was invincible

Your family tribute to him gave me a glimpse into all the parts of him I had no knowledge of. Thanks for that

In the past couple years both of us spoke of retiring .

He will be missed by countless

Know he mattered to me too

Colleen

So saddened to hear of the loss of this brilliant Oncologist Thank you for the fifteen extra years so far which I can only attribute to Dr Blahey RIP Condolences to the families friends colleagues

It’s with great sadness to hear of Dr. Blahey’s passing. He will be greatly missed within the halls of the PLC Outpatient Clinic. He was a colleague of high intellect and standards, and appreciated those around him who could demonstrate the same. We valued not only his respect and inclusion of patient care discussions, informative conversations of health care topics (and sometimes playful debates), but mostly we will miss his friendly banters. He was always one to seek you out and place a friendly smile upon your face. Our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.

– Treatment room Nurses

Thank you for dedicating your life to patients with Leukemia and Lymphoma.

United Nurses of Alberta

Local 1

Peter Lougheed Centre of the Calgary General Hospital

My condolences on the passing of Dr. Blahey. I knew of him as an RN but had more lasting encounters with him when my husband was diagnosed and treated by him. It was a dark and scary time for us and he was a life line. We trusted him and things moved quickly once we were in his capable hands. He was greatly appreciated by my husband and he liked his no nonsense manner.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the Blahey family. It was my privilege to have worked with Dr. Blahey for over thirty years. He was a trusted and well respected colleague. The medical community will greatly miss him.

My most sincere condolences,

Dr. Ivan A. Vicha

Dearest Brenda

My heartfelt condolences for your loss of Walter.

Val Demitt

My heartfelt condolences to Dr Blahey’s family. He was a man of few words but always loved chatting with me about his fishing trips. He will be missed by many.

Brenda, Thinking of you and your family at this time of sadness

I was greatly saddened to hear of Dr Blahey’s passing. He was my doctor about 25 years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer. I remember him as a kind and compassionate man who also had a dry sense of humour. He blessed my life, and I’m sure the life of many people. I have confidence that he lives on in a world free from cancer and illness.

So very sorry for all of us with such a tragic loss. Please accept my condolences, Brenda and family. Walt will be greatly missed by everyone. In particular I will remember all the fishing and hunting trips we did for over 30 years. I will miss him alot and I will still go on the hunting trip with him we had planned for Friday, Sept. 20,2019.

My deepest condolences to Brenda and Dr. Blahey’s family. Walt had always been big supporter of trainees and junior staff. He was always there to help or give advice on difficult cases when I was on service at the PLC. He’s contributed tremendously to our division and we will all miss him.

Dr. Blahey was my haematologist for more than 20 years. Always felt I had the best care possible and enjoyed our small chats over the years. I am very saddened to hear of his passing and send my deepest sympathy to his wife, Brenda, and to family and friends.

Paula Willie

To Brenda and family, we send our sincerest condolences in the loss of your husband and father. We are shocked and saddened to hear of Walter Brian’s all too early passing. Childhood visits to the family farm that Walter loved so much are some of our most enduring and favourite memories. We always looked up to Walter and thought he was ever so cool. Thinking of you all at this very difficult time.

Condolences to the Blahey family. I worked with Dr. Blahey as a resident in internal medicine almost 20 years ago and remember his soft and calm spirit in dealing with patients. He could remember each patient so well although he had so many that he followed. He was a very well respected teacher!

I first met Dr. Blahey many years ago as a young unit clerk working at the Tom Baker. I knew him as that man of few words, words which were often of quick wit and humour. I knew him as quiet, kind and one year, as one of my team mates dragon boat racing for the Tom Baker team. During the many years I have worked at Tom Baker, never once, did Dr. Blahey fail to give me a quiet hello and a kind smile with that twinkle in his eye. I will always remember him fondly and he will be dearly missed.

Brenda, Carmen, Kaela, Wharran and family

Dum Spiro Spero – Whilst I breath I hope

I hope peace for you. I hope comfort for you. I hope strength for you during this difficult time. I hope all of these things for you everyday going forward. I am so very sorry for your great loss and extreme shift in your world.

Shawnna

Walt

You welcomed me as a very young ID physician to the Calgary Geberal Hospital in 1985. Years of guidance, professional friendship, shared patients, and teaching followed. You shaped my early years and made my later years fun. I will never forget those days or you. To Walt’s family, my deepest condolences but thanks for sharing him with all of us. He was a giant. Bon voyage, Walt.

As a patient of Dr. Blahey’s over many years I grew to love this man. I believe Walter is all of what has been said of him, from brilliant to compassionate, loving, honest, and respected. I saw him as a complex man with strong convictions to his cogent approach in the treatment of his patients in one of most difficult fields of medicine. A true credit to his profession.

My sincere condolences to Dr. Blahey’s family. May he Rest In Peace!

So sorry to hear of your loss Mrs. Blahey, Carman, Kaela and Wharran. Please accept my sincerest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most challenging time.

Heartfelt condolences to the Blahey family during this unthinkable time.

It’s been my privilege to know Walter for for over 30 years as he exquisitely executed his craft at the Calgary General, PLC, and in recent years, as a grateful patient in his practice. His calm and compassionate approach to care instilled confidence in both patients and team members.

An incredible loss to all who knew him.

My deepest condolences to Walter’s family. It was always my hope that I would get to meet all of my mother’s cousins. My thoughts are with you during this time.

My sincere condolences to Brenda and their youngsters.

As a multi-year patient of Walter’s my admiration for his knowledge and manner was well developed and additional to his professional commentary it was a pleasure to have been able to also discuss our respective 3 youngsters, his canoe and fishing excursions, etc.. Best wishes to you all in spite of your loss.

He will be sorely missed by a wide variety of Admirers.

Brenda, I met Walt when we went to medical school together,a long time ago now. He was indeed a quiet man but with intelligence and wit. We all loved him. We had a great medical education and a year in Flint, MI and had much fun and experiences. It is with fondness and joy that I think of Walt. My sincerest sympathies in your loss. Condolences to you and your family.

I was a lymphoma patient of Dr. Blahey for the past 5 years. I was sad when he announced to me that he was retiring but even sadder when I heard of his passing. I loved his no-nonsense approach to medicine that only a prairie boy would understand. My condolences to the entire Blahey family.

My sincerest condolences to Brenda and the rest of Walt’s family. My first exposure to hematology in Calgary was with Walt at the PLC, nearly two decades ago, when I was a medical student, where he left me with a lasting impression that I still recall today. Years later when I moved to Calgary to join the hematology team, I was shocked he remembered me. He may have been a man of few words, but his attention to detail was impressive. I will miss our conversations about patients, and his advice when I had a case that was giving me trouble. Most of all I will miss his sense of humour. I will cherish the last two moments I had with Walt, as they were both happy ones, as a reminder of what a great man he was and what he did for all of us.

I became a patient of Dr. Blahey in 2012 and very much respected and appreciated his knowledge and his thorough, precise and direct explanations. At my last appointment with him, he announced his upcoming retirement. I heartily congratulated him on it and wished him well…but I also made very sure that I clearly and strongly told him that I would miss our engaging and informative appointments…I am now so very glad that I did!!! Condolences to his family and all whose lives he touched. Thank you for the care and cure and…Bon voyage, ‘Dr. Walter’!…

Though we were cousins, except for too few encounters when I was a very young boy, I did not really get to know Walter Brian. Though happy to learn of his work and achievements in medicine and his positive effect on the lives of so many, I am very sorry to learn of his passing, and for his family, I feel for your loss.

My condolences to the Blahey family. I have had the privilege to have worked with Walt and he was a true mentor. As a new staff physician at the PLC, he was exceptionally welcoming and always made time during his busy clinics to chat and made be immediately feel like an equal. He was a brilliant physician and sincerely cared for his patients. He always was able to put a smile on my face and it was often with very few words. I truly looked up to him as a mentor and I could always count on him being available to discuss clinical cases. Despite his vast knowledge and experience, he remained humble. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to have worked with him. He will be deeply missed.

Dr. Blahey provided my medical care since I was diagnosed in 1996. I enjoyed his humour and his excellent care. He will be dearly missed. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Brenda and family,

We are so saddened to hear about Walt. Our last visit with him was lovely- soft spoken, wise, quiet and a man of few words. We are profoundly sorry for your tremendous loss. Wish we could join you Saturday but are in Argentina.

Fondly,

Bob and Sue Hollinshead

My condolences to your family on your loss. As a nurse I was fortunate to have worked with Dr Blahey over many years. He was, as you said, a man of few words but always had the best interests of his patients in mind. I will remember his dedication and caring of so many patients. I hope your many wonderful memories help you through this most difficult time.

My condolences to the family of Dr. Blahey. His medical service to the Calgary community was immeasurable.Since the 1970’s, he treated my father, mother in law, friend and in the past year , myself .

I was grateful to have him as my oncologist and he will be missed by

Many.

Don McLeod

Our deepest sympathies to Brenda and family, we were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Walter’s sudden passing, take care.

Brian and Georgina Waldbauer

Dorothy and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to you and your children. Our class of 73 has always had a special bond for each other and Walt was one of the pillars of that group. Always glad to reconnect every reunion, reminisce and update on life’s changes. We will miss Walt’s presence on these occassions. Take care Brenda.

So very sad to hear of this Dear Gentleman passing. Dr Blakey was my doctor, with stage 4 lymphoma..it was a great comfort to see him for my treatments and care… I have been Cancer free for 10 years and am heartbroken that he finally retires after all he gave to so many of us, and has so little time spend with his much loved family…

The faculty of Rundle College would like to express our sincere condolences. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.

As a patient of Dr Blahey’s for the last ten years …. I am heartbroken to hear of his sudden passing. The medical world has lost a pioneer in his field. Like myself…. many of his patients have lost their lifeline and hope. He will be sorely missed by so many. My most sincere heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, colleagues, and patients. May he rest eternally easy and in peace …. after giving his life to others here on earth so selflessly. Thank you for your compassion and commitment Dr Blahey …. I am going to miss you so very much.

So very sad to hear about Dr. Blahey. I remember my first appointment vividly–a man of few and scary words. That changed over the 10 or 12 years that I was treated by him. I looked forward to seeing Walt every couple of months and enjoyed our conversations. My condolences to the Blahey Family.

Brenda and family,

Walter will be sorely missed. He was an exceptional physician in his service to his patients and to the many students he taught.

We are sorry for your loss.

Condolences to the Blahey family.

I was a patient of Dr Blahey for 16 years and truly found him to be caring, tender and supportive. He was a man of few words indeed but when he spoke he was a true gentleman who cared dearly for me as his patient. May he rest in peace after giving with much compassion and commitment to all of his patients. He will be missed.

My condolences to the family of Dr. Blahey.

He was my doctor since 1999 and the best doctor I could ever have had. I had Stage four Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and he, with the help of God saved me then and has kept me well through three bouts of it since.

May his soul rest in peace.

We are so sad to hear of the loss of such an amazing man. He was truly a great part of the community in bridgeland where our families grew up. He took amazing care of my grandfather when he became ill and we could never put into words what he did for us . Sending our condolences and love to the family.

The Bellusci and Caracciolo Family

Sincerest sympathy to Brenda and family. To say we were shocked and very saddened to here the news of Walters passing is an understatement.It’s many years since we saw him but as best man at our wedding in 1968 we kept him close to our hearts. A great sportsman a great person. God will bless you abundantly with the great contributions you have given to all of us. Rest In Peace Dr.Walter!

Thank you for your depiction of the respected Doctor. I agree and would like to add a short story. One day the Doctor seemed to be carrying an extra heavy load so I asked him for advice on curling. The load lifted. I had know ledge that the man had thrown a curling broom so I asked him if the best way to project a broom from one end of the ice to the other was side arm or over head. With a blush and a grin he marched on. It was my good fortune to meet such a man.

My Condolences

Cancer Survivor and patient Randy Harper

So sad to hear..He was my oncologist in 1995…..No nonsence kind of guy which i liked…I know he will be greatly missed by all he touched as a doctor…

So sorry for your loss Brenda, Carmen and family.

I have been a patient of Dr. Blahey’s for 32 years. I have the utmost respect for his skills, abilities and manner as a physician. I appreciated his sense of humor, and over the many visits we even managed to enjoy a few laughs. Words cannot adequately convey the enormity of his loss. My heartfelt condolences to Dr. Blahey’s family and friends.

Heart felt Condolences to Dr. Blahey’s family. He was a superb clinician, a gentleman and trust colleague. Medical community will greatly miss him.

With sincere regards

Dr. Khan Ali – Rockyview Hospital Calgary.

Brenda,we are so sorry for your loss to you and your family.

We send our condolences.

Love

Shirley and Myron Zabol

Brenda, I was saddened to hear about Walt. Since I joined the PLC group 15 years ago, he had been extremely kind and helpful to me. I shall miss those advises and small talks over the years when I visited his office.

Most sincere condolences,

Jonathan Yau

Brenda, Our sincere condolences to you and your family.

Walt was a great friend, physician, and team mate. We will miss him.

Jamie McMeekin and Barb Walley