Walter Alexander BEAN

BEAN, Walter Alexander CBE, ED, CD, BComm., LLD
Born July 26, 1908 at Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario, died peacefully at home in Waterloo on March 2, 1998 after a lifetime of dedication to his family and service to his church, his community and his country. Predeceased by his parents, David Alexander and Rose Winter Bean, and by his beloved wife, Eleanore (nee Fearman). Survived by his sons, Douglas (Annette Snowdon) and Donald (Irene), both of Toronto; by his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Geoffrey, Mary (Michael Bloss), Tupper and Bryan all of Toronto; by their mothers Susanne Bean of Waterloo and Bonnie Bean of Toronto, by his great-grandchildren, Caroline and David Bloss. Also survived by his sister, Frances (Mrs. Fred A. Breithaupt), of Kitchener, and his brothers, Wilfred (Lorain), of Guelph and Aubrey, of Cambridge. After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1930, where he was an all-Canadian football player, he joined Waterloo Trust and subsequently became president. He was later Deputy Chairman of Canada Trust, Chairman of the Economical Mutual Group and a director of other corporations including Mutual Life and Electrohome. He was a past President of the Trust Companies Association of Canada, a former Honourary Colonel of the High Fusiliers of Canada, he served with distinction in World War II with the British 1st Army in North Africa and the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific, retiring as a Brigadier. An officer or director of many charitable and community organizations, he was also a founding Chairman of the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, an Honourary Treasurer of the Stratford Festival, past President of the Muskoka Lakes Association, a founding Governor and Honourary Fellow of Renison College, University of Waterloo, and a past President and Life Member of the Westmount Golf and Country Club, Kitchener. A man of great integrity, industry, determination and modesty, he quietly shared his strength and his love with many. Both he and his family greatly appreciated the compassionate care he received from Dr. John Lackner, and the staff of We Care and the Waterloo Heights Retirement Home. No visitation. Funeral service at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 23 Water St. N. (at Duke St. W.), Kitchener, Ont., N2H 5A4 on Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m. Reception in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. Memorial donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Church of St. John the Evangelist, the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, 20 Erb St. W., Waterloo, Ont. N2L 1T2, or Renison College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont. N2L 3G4.