Walter Woron

Walter was born a refugee in a displaced persons camp, to Paraskevia (Pearl) and Mykola (Nick) in the city of Hanau, Germany. His time in Germany was short, and the family soon prepared for their voyage to Canada.  Walter and his parents arrived in Halifax on March 28, 1949, before continuing across the country to their new home, on their sponsor family’s farm in Turin, Alberta.  After the birth of his sister Maria,  the family would later move to Calgary, the city Walter would call home.

Walter adopted the city as much as it adopted him. His family settled in Inglewood and welcomed sister, Zena.  He played hockey, attended Colonel Walker and Western Canada schools before continuing his education at Mount Royal College.  Walter became a fan of music as rock ‘n’ roll began and he bought an electric guitar and amp to join his collection of LPs.  He worked a variety of jobs, including the Palace Theatre,  MacLeod Brothers Menswear, and Sears.  It was during this time that he met a pretty, young teacher from Manitoba, Joyce Faryna. They were married on September 30, 1967.  They welcomed their son Kevin within a year and a second son Cory a little over a year later. Walt would join Gill Transportation, later All-trans Express, the company he would work for until his early retirement.               

Walter enjoyed many activities including coin collecting, photography, square dancing, camping, and fishing.  He served as an assistant coach for both of his son's hockey teams.  He loved cheering on the Stampeders and the Flames. One of Walt’s proudest moments was square dancing with Joyce in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.

In his later years, he watched his family grow, first welcoming Cory’s wife Charlene and later grandsons Cooper and Brady.  Walt later welcomed Marie, Eric, and Veronica as they joined Kevin’s life.  Even as health issues would slow him down, he was proud of his family and actively supported them as best as he could.

Walt is predeceased by his mother Paraskevia (Pearl). He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce, sons Kevin (Marie) and Cory (Charlene), his father Mykola (Nick), sisters Maria (Bob) and Zena (Rod), grandchildren Cooper, Brady, Eric and Veronica and many nieces and nephews as well as family in Ukraine.

We keep those dearest in our hearts, sharing their stories, that they will be with us forevermore.