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Walter Guppy Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Walter Guppy
8 Entries
Alf Jensen
May 5, 2007
I met Walter more than half a century ago fishing at Wilf Rock aboard his pretty little double-ender, the "Mosquito", Bill and Nina were there with the "Snib". George Martin and the "Puttynose" anf old Harry Masso on the "Wild West". My first boat in Tofino was the "Kista", it does not, however, mean a pretty native girl as Nancey Masso assured me, but something far more fundamental; I later found out! The memories of those summer evenings trolling among the kelp-beds will be with me forever, although, those dear old souls are now fishing elsewhere.
From Phoebe and Alf Jensen back in Tofino.
Dorothy Arnet
April 27, 2007
Walter and Olive were neighbours to Edward and I in Tofino in the 1980s. We enjoyed Walter's books about the history of Tofino and spoke to Walter on the telephone about them. On March 13th I nomininated Walter for a Pierre Berton Award given by Canada's National History Society to individuals who have brought Canadian history to a national audience through publications. I sent Walter a copy of my nomination letter. The History Society acknowledged my nomination two days before Walter's passing and I have since notified them of his death. I told them Walter was so pleased someone appreciated his work enough to nominate him for an award. I said I hope his work will still be considered for posthumous recognition. The awards are announced in the fall.
Dorothy Arnet
Harold Monks
April 27, 2007
Walter was an old friend and I have fond memories of many visits to Walter and Olive’s home. Walter’s passion was mining; mine was seafaring. Neither of us were particularly interested in the specifics of each others careers but what I did find very interesting and to which I could relate were Walter’s tales of his experiences in the ‘bush’ (the mountains, including some we could see from Tofino). His ‘headquarters’ was often a shack he had built off one of the tributaries to the Bedwell River. As far as I know he never hit the prospector’s dream of the mother lode but he did manage to sell a few claims here and there. When not prospecting, he was Tofino’s only electrician. Walter had a sense of humour with an ever-witty punch line which often related to some of Tofino’s old characters of bygone years. The comments were never derogatory but lots of amusing anecdotes were told; many of which Walter blended into his written tales of our west coast. He had published seven books over the past nineteen years. In spite of being physically feeble the last few years, his mind was extremely keen. His last days were spent working on yet another manuscript for a new book. He had become a source of accurate knowledge of prospecting and the mining industry in B.C. I’m sure we shall all remember Walter as unassuming and always modest – a demeanor which is reflected in his books.
Gail Irvine
April 25, 2007
When my daughter was 4, she met Walter and his yellow jeep at Auntie Chris's. She mis-heard his name and so, since then, he has been "Mr Gumpy" to us. In fact, after that trip when Jackie was bringing Darcy home (in Vancouver)Darcy saw a yellow jeep and shouted out "There's Mr. Gumpy!". Mr. Gumpy was a unique and interesting man - and kind. When he stayed with us in Vancouver (1956?) he knew Jackie and I liked Gilbert & Sullivan - Marie and Bob Wingen had given us "The Gondoliers" and so he sent us "The Mikado", signed by him, which we still have. We have had a lifetime of singing along because of him! A great loss.
Gail and Jackie Green
Jacquelyn Hansen
April 19, 2007
Walter was a Life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Clayoquot Sound Branch No. 65. He served in many positions from Secretary, Vice-President and President. He had the foresight to write the history of Branch No. 65 which was published in "The Daily Colonist" in 1976. Your mother Olive, a founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary, also gave freely of her time. We, the members of the Legion appreciate all the support they gave our branch throughout their lives.
LORD GOD OF HOSTS, BE WITH US YET, LEST WE FORGET, LEST WE FORGET.
Dot and Ken Gibson
April 18, 2007
Our sincere condolences, Karen and Gavin. We missed our daily contact with Uncle Walter when he moved and are pleased he settled so comfortably into his new home in Courtenay. His historical knowledge, and his enthusiasm for it, will thankfully live on through his writings; one could expect no better legacy!
Lois Warner
April 17, 2007
I have known Walter all my life and have especially admired his intellect in later life. This past Boxing Day, when my brother, Harold Monks, and I visited him he cautioned us not to put a gift on his desk as his latest manuscript was there, set out for editing. A person with an interesting and keen mind will be my memory of Walter.
Leona Taylor
April 15, 2007
I enjoyed knowing Walter for his energy and interest in life. He was good soul, and a true Tofino character.
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