WALTER THOMAS ELLISON

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WALTER THOMAS ELLISON

September 3,1941-July 18,2024

At a time of his own choosing Walter left us on Thursday July 18, surrounded by some family members who told him how much they loved him; Ellen Mary Mills his wife of 20 years, son Mark Ellison, daughter, Susan Sefton (Harvey) and daughter Cherie Cathcart (Jim).



He will be missed greatly by his sister Moira Drybrough (Don), their children Donald, Catherine, Cynthia, and Christina and their extended families; his daughter-in-law Rebecca Ellison; his grandchildren Kate and Thomas Sefton and Connor and McKinley Ellison, his brother-in-law Doug Scott and his children Nancy (Shane) Dianne (Pat) Sharon (Steve) and their children and his former spouse Wendy Ellison.



His dear sister Wendy Scott predeceased Walt, he is now off to reunite with her and his good friends Wayne and Lyla. Many longtime friends including Murray Grooms, Gord and Jan Rempel, Hank and Joan Unryn, Jan and Terry Hill and Cathy Wilkes will remember his friendship and great times together.



Walt was born in Winnipeg and raised by his mother Lorna as his father has passed fairly early in Walt's life. Taking on paper routes to help support the family began his lifelong commitment to hard work. Walt obtained his Engineering degree from Manitoba and distinguished himself there as Athlete of the Year in 1967. He then went on to obtain an MBA from Queen's University in 1969.



His career began at Pitfield McKay Ross as a financial analyst where he gained some notoriety as an analyst in the field of corporate real estate development. From there he guided Rollins Construction in Prince Edward County. A move to Aurora brought him to purchase TEMSPEC an HVAC manufacturing company in 1982. His son Mark succeeded Walt in 2008 with Walt maintaining the role of Chairman. However, he cherished his continued involvement with many of the employees, some of whom he had mentored along the way. Walt also owned and operated for almost 30 years two retirement homes, Heritage House Guelph and Mississauga. Right up until the end he was still planning for another business investment!



With Ellen Mary at his side Walt pursued a number of endeavours, theatre, music, and art. Together they enhanced their home with paintings they loved while enjoying many bottles of red wine. They travelled abroad and regularly to their timeshares in Florida and St. Lucia. But Walt's greatest passions were skiing and an island cottage in Northern Georgian Bay called simply “The Rock”. He loved to entertain friends there - wishing everyone he knew could experience the beauty of it. Most of all he loved to see his children and grand children congregate there to enjoy the water, fishing and morning coffee on the back deck. The Canada Day long weekends with the entire family were special to him



Walt faced many health challenges in the past decade, and he fought everyone. But the cumulation of his troubles, in the end were too much for even his determination and will power to overcome. We respect your decision, and we will always love you, Walt!



A celebration of Walt's life will be planned for a future date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 27, 2024, Jul 27, 2024