Miervaldis Jursevskis

Miervaldis (Walter) Jursevskis November 6, 1921 - March 15, 2014 Walter passed at Burnaby Hospital, with his wife Ruth at his side. Chess Master and avid player of 5 minute blitz games, he also loved art, dancing, curling, golf, yoga, world travel, a good seafood dinner and time with family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Ruth, son Mark (Terry), daughter Cindy (Dave), grandson Daniel, sister Laima, in Riga, Latvia, and extended family in Canada, USA and Latvia. Walter was born and studied architecture in Riga, but decided to concentrate on art. He excelled in all mediums, oil, pastel, water colour paintings, cartoons and caricatures. Walter learned chess at the age of 6, from his father. While in displaced persons' camps in Europe, after WW2, he played in many international chess events. Walter relocated to British Columbia and while working on the CP Railway on Vancouver Island he painted landscapes in his spare time. Afterwards, he moved to Vancouver and became a display artist for the T Eaton Company. After 25 years he retired to his own art and antique restoration business. He participated in many chess tournaments and was the BC Chess Champion for 6 years. Walter was resident of Burnaby for over 60 years, a member of the Burnaby Winter Club and Burnaby Mountain Golf Course. He will be remembered as an intelligent, kind, artistic individual with a great sense of humour and will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him. Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. Special thanks to the caring staff at Burnaby Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to BC Children's Hospital.