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COLIN SINCLAIR WALLEY
1929 – 2022
Colin's family are sad to announce that Colin's excellent adventure has come to an end. In his final days, Colin remarked on many occasions that although he experienced great losses and sadness, he had a grand life.
Colin is survived by his daughters Norma Hall and Fran Walley (Garry Hnatowich) and sons Keith Walley (Pat) and David Walley (Tatlin); his grandchildren Amelia, Clifford, Wendy, Ryan, Becka, Meghan, Chantel, Mordie, James and Ian; great-grandchildren Trish, Lucy, Kiera, Tazio, Avalynn and Maceo; and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his loving wife Fran, their daughter Lee Anne, his parents Cecil and Nina Walley, and siblings Graham, Kenneth, Keith, Bruce, Nina, Marna, Lorna (survived by Maury Sullivan), Marian, and Fiona.
Colin was born at Balmoral, MB, where his many adventures began. He often talked fondly of Rev. Doug Rupp, who inspired him to sing in his early years which became a lifelong passion, singing at Rainbow Stage, and in many church choirs. He attended Normal School, where he met his future wife, Frances. In 1953 he began his teaching adventure, serving as Principal of Starbuck School and in 1957 he accepted a teaching position at the Manitoba Normal School, later transferring to the University of Manitoba where he taught in the Faculty of Education until retirement.
On July 4, 1953, he married Frances Owens at the Starbuck United Church and they shared many adventures together until Fran's passing in 2008, including sojourns in Hawaii (where he learned to play the shakuhachi) and Trinidad and Tobago (learning to play steel drums and spending time communing in a pan yard), with another favourite adventure taking them to Greece to participate in an archeological study. During a sabbatical, Colin and family moved to Ottawa to allow him to work on (and ultimately complete) his Ph.D. After retirement, Colin and Fran spent many years travelling to visit children and grandchildren.
Together with Fran, Colin set the stage for one of his longest-lasting adventures by building the much-loved family cottage at Wanasing Beach, where family and friends spent many idyllic summers. Adventures at the cottage were exciting and often not without a tantalizing element of danger: bulrush torches, Cantley canons, firecrackers, deep frying over a bonfire, wild toboggan rides down the cliffs and behind the car, and later adventures on motorboats, rafts and sailboats.
After spending five years in Saskatoon, Colin's final adventure brought him back to Manitoba, where he had a special friendship with Marsha Blore. A family memorial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be sent in Colin's name to the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, 107-62 Hargrave Street, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3C 1N1 or via the website at:
lakewinnipegfoundation.org/donate
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2022
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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I have just now learned of Colin's passing. It was my privilege to have served as a music educator colleague in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. This relationship spanned the years from 1975 - 1999 when I retired. Colin was a valued colleague and mentor. It was an honor for me to call him friend. - Posted by: Lawrence William A Patterson (Colleague) on: Jul 11, 2025
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We are so saddened to learn of Colin’s passing and offer our deepest condolences to his lovely Family. I’m so grateful and blessed to have been his Friend and Neighbour at Wanasing. He shared so much with Mike and I and we’ll always remember and treasure our time together; working, boating, chip and hot dog roasts, orange birthday cakes, early morning coffee, early evening wine and long conversations from one of the nicest, kindest and wise humans I may ever know. We loved and will remember him often ❤️ Happy Canada Day in heaven Colin 🇨🇦 - Posted by: Karen Zaste (Wanasing Neighbour ) on: Jul 01, 2023
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I had the privilege of having Mr. Whalley as my music teacher at teachers’ college. Oh, how I enjoyed his classes. One of the best teachers I ever had. We were singing the Gay Raftsmen and we were not doing the stomping. He turned to the audience and told them he had to have a bit of a talk with us….smiles and laughter all round. I had the audacity to ask him to sing at our wedding, which he politely declined. I also took a Caribbean summer course from him. Oh, the beautiful memories. Thank you and rest in peace wonderful person. - Posted by: Wendy George Paton (Student) on: Mar 27, 2023
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It was my great good fortune to have Colin Walley as my teacher and Principal at Starbuck High School. His commitment to Music has been a positive influence on me throughout my life. I was very happy to reconnect with him upon returning to Manitoba after many years away. My sincere condolences to the family on your great loss. - Posted by: Mae Denby (Student and friend) on: Nov 19, 2022
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Sending sincere condolences to the families. I have many warm memories of our time at Wanasing Beach with the Walley family. I always looked forward to the Walley bonfires with music and French Fries. Not to mention the endless rainy afternoons of Archie Comics and games of Risk and Pit. Colin and Fran were always welcoming. - Posted by: Janet Saunders Gobeil (Family friend) on: Nov 19, 2022
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I am saddened to learn of Dr. Walley’s passing and wish to extend my deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences to his family. I have many pleasant memories attending his classes when I was a student at Manitoba Teachers’ College. May the sun forever shine upon his face and the wind always be at his back. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. - Posted by: Normand Guilbert (Former student) on: Nov 19, 2022