TED WALKER

TED (EDWARD CHARLES) WALKER August 30, 1946 - May 23, 2016 With enormous sadness, we announce that Ted passed away peacefully after a hard-fought, four year battle with cancer. Throughout this journey, he never lost his sense of humour, incredible wit or his passion for life. In the last few days of his life, he had a wonderful room with a view at Bridgepoint Hospital surrounded by his loving family and friends and the most compassionate physician, nurses and staff. Ted was born in Fort William (now Thunder Bay), Ontario, the son of the late Alec Walker and the late Lois (McCallum) Walker. He was the beloved husband and soul mate of Nancy Macken. During their 33 years together, they travelled extensively and made many new friends, particularly in Cuba and the Bahamas. Ted was the adored brother and best friend of Gordon and wife Patte, cherished son-in-law of Brendan and Libby Macken and brother-in-law of Ginny and Cam Ross, Peggy and Mark Roszell and Helen and Roger Conzelmann. Ted will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Ted attended Fort William Collegiate and Lakehead University and was immensely proud to be a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve from 1965-1971. During his years in Thunder Bay, Ted was an active member of the Thunder Bay Rowing Club. After university, Ted moved into "The Manse", where he formed lifelong friendships. In 1972, he moved to Toronto with Sears Canada to become a National Buyer and again met wonderful friends and partners in crime, including his great friend, Peter Sibeth. After many years at Sears, Ted joined Sanyo and was known as Walker-san to his Japanese counterparts and enjoyed teaching them Canadian idioms. Ted had a great gift for writing, publishing a number of articles in a national magazine. His frequent trips to Cuba inspired a series of hilarious stories, called "Adventures in the Workers' Paradise". In many ways, Ted was larger than life. He was incredibly loyal and kind to his family and friends and loved life. Now, he is a "Sleeping Giant" and he will be deeply missed but forever remembered in our hearts. Special thanks for their compassionate care to Dr. Vince Chien and the staff at Bridgepoint and Dr. Christine Brezden, Dr. Irene Ying, Dr. Geena Kim, Swanee, Marlene, Samira and Elizabeth at St. Michael's Hospital. A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, June 2, 2016 from 3 to 7 p.m. (Tributes at 4:30 p.m.) at the Toronto Cricket Club, 141 Wilson Avenue, North York. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ted's memory to Bridgepoint Foundation (Palliative Care Program) (bridgepointhealth.ca) or to St. Michael's Hospital Foundation (Medical Day Care Unit 2 Donnelly) (stmichaelshospital.com) would be greatly appreciated.