Obituary of Mr. Walter Pollard

WALTER THEOPHILUS POLLARD

Encircled by his family, Walter peacefully passed away at Hospice Simcoe on Saturday, November 9^th, 2019 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born July 21, 1948, in Christ Church, Barbados, Walter was the sixth of ten children of the late Walter Evan and Rosalie Etheline (Holmes) Pollard.  Walter experienced a good childhood attending school, playing soccer and cricket, participating in Boy Scouts, and serving in St. Bartholomew’s Church.

After immigrating to Canada in March of 1966, Walter completed his high school education and studied piano and music theory at the Royal Conservatory of Music.  In his leisure time he enjoyed playing cricket, dominoes, and bowling.  He was an avid Toronto Blue Jays and Raptors fan.  Walter also continued his religious pursuit in the Anglican faith spending many years as a member at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church. 

Walter enjoyed a long career working in customer service and logistics with the railway – 37 years with CN Rail, and several years post-retirement with Transcontinental Transportation Services and Maritime World Logistics. 

In 1968, Walter was married to Radiance (nee Bourne), a union that produced 3 children:  Julie, Cheryl, and Sharon.  He spent 25 years raising his family in Toronto and Scarborough, Ontario.

In 2001, Walter married Georline (nee Wilson).  They built their life in Barrie, Ontario, and enjoyed outings, travel, and time with friends.  Georline was a wonderful friend, loving caregiver, and constant support during Walter’s illness.

Walter will be lovingly remembered by his wife Georline; his daughters Julie (Marc) Stewart of Moncton, NB, Cheryl Hoover of Barrie, and Sharon (Marcel) DePass of Whitby; and grandchildren Allison, Ryan, Evan, Rhiannon, Marlon, Kyle, Serena, Nylah, and Nyomie.  He will be fondly remembered by his brother Charles “Charlie”; sisters Rosalie “Isa” (late Clyde), Vera (Alfred), Thelma, Pearleta (Clifton), and Catherine (Essentia); brother-in-law Kenville “Braffie/KB”; Radiance (mother of Julie, Cheryl, and Sharon), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He will be dearly missed by friends, work colleagues, and those who knew him through his social circles.  Walter was predeceased by his parents, by his sisters Etheline, Glendora, and Lena, and by his infant grandson Marcus.

The family is truly grateful for the special friends and family members who visited Walter regularly during the period of his illness.  Sincere appreciation is expressed to the doctors and staff of the Oncology Unit at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), and the Home Care nurses and staff from St. Elizabeth Health Care and the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN.  Our most heartfelt gratitude goes to the staff and volunteers of Hospice Simcoe for their loving care and kindness in Walter’s last days.

A service to celebrate and honour Walter’s life will take place at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, 4125 Sheppard Ave East, Scarborough, Ontario on November 18, 2019 at 11:00 am.  For those unable to attend, a livestream will be available at http://hawkeyefilms.ca/in_memory_of/walter-pollard.html. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 am until 10:45 am on the day of the service.  In honouring Walter’s wishes, there will be no reception following the service as the family will spend private time together in quiet reflection.  A private interment service will take place at Innisvale Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter’s name to Hospice Simcoe or The RVH Foundation’s Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre would be appreciated by the family.  The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time.