Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Mr. Robert Walker
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John Lombard posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Sorry for your loss and condolences to your family. Hope you are keeping well Jeff.
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Karen Walker uploaded photo(s)
Monday, May 16, 2022
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Dad was a true gentle man. His kindness, warmth, faith and gentle nature were remarked on by all he met. Dad also had a wonderful sense of humour and would get a twinkle in his eye when he knew he had made you laugh. He always took the time to speak to people and find out about their lives from staff in a restaurant, clerks in the grocery store, to staff at the nursing home. Wherever you went with Dad everyone seemed to know him and he would greet each one and ask about their family or something happening in their personal life. He would sometimes share these anecdotes he had learnt about others and their lives so we would feel connected to those around us. In his later years he was often mistaken for Gordie Howe and we always laughed when people took a second look or approached him to ask.
Dad apprenticed as a butcher as a young man and worked in the same store in Forest Hill and Rosedale for decades. As the community around the store became more affluent Dad became the “Butcher to the Stars” as the clientele included professional athletes, media personalities, Senators, and actors. He would surprise us often by casually mentioning who had come to visit him in store recently. One of his favourite anecdotes was preparing liver for the family pet that the chauffer had been sent to collect. His knife skills were always put to the test at home and when visiting friends and family as Dad was always put to work carving the roast beef, Turkey or ham. I remember grocery shopping with him and we would scrutinize the product in the meat displays together commenting on marbling, aging and the butcher’s preparation skills as I tried to remember my beef anatomy classes to name the muscle groups in each cut.
Dad was the third of 8 children so learnt from an early age the importance of family and how to look after and entertain his younger siblings. When he met Mom he knew she was the love of his life and they were married. This partnership lasted over 65 years and to his final days whenever Mom walked into the room he would always light up and exclaim “There’s my wife” and reach out to hold her hand. She was his true love and he was her hero to the end.
Dad’s love of family was evident as he and Mom raised their three children. He celebrated and took pride in all their accomplishments at school and University. Besides working Dad became the hockey coach, backyard rink builder and super fan as Dan, Rebecca and Jeff took part in hockey, soccer and figure skating. They travelled to competitions, tournaments and games all over Ontario and the US. Dad and Mom opened their home to their children’s friends and neighbours and the Walker home and yard quickly became the central meeting place year round. To this day many of these friends and neighbours remember their hospitality warmly.
Dad was delighted in his grandchildren from babyhood, through the toddler years, teenagers and into adult hood. Always taking an interest in what they were doing and driving to Brighton, Guelph and even travelling to Tanzania in order to share their lives. He enjoyed attending their music concerts, school events, soccer games and hockey games. Dad was always proud of their accomplishments and was their biggest fan. He loved big family gatherings and enjoyed watching them play on the floor at his feet when they were very young or put on plays and performances as they grew older. Dad would sit at the head of the dinner table and listen to the family banter, wise cracks and stories from his children and grandchildren with a smile. Often joining in with a humorous addition that would send peals of laughter around the table.
Mom and Dad would often invite other friends and community members to these holiday meals. To share their family with others who were too far from their home or did not have family to go to. These visitors were quickly embraced in the family banter and swept up in the laughter that accompanied every meal. Dad was also an active member in his church community for many years. Singing in the men’s chorus, attending men’s bible studies, collecting the offering during Sunday service, helping Mom make decorations and crafts for VBS or Sunday school and preparing the coffee and tea for after service fellowship in the church hall.
Besides his love of playing hockey and golf Dad loved the music of the 40’s and 50’s. He loved to sing along as he did the dishes and other chores or he swept mom off her feet for an impromptu dance in the living room. Mom and Dad attended many dances when they were young and numerous weddings as they grew older, they were a wonderful sight to see on the dance floor together. When Jeff and I had to choose music for a first dance at our wedding he made several suggestions and sang us the lyrics that he liked. The Mills Brother’s “Be my Life’s Companion” has been our musical theme ever since. He also helped us to add a bit of fun into our first dance as he could never understand why the “young people” just stood in one spot and swayed together when dancing.
My own grandmother had told me many years ago to “never marry into a family I did not love”. When I met Jeff and then his parents I realized how important this advice was. Early in our relationship they embraced my father and brother and included us in all their gatherings. It was Jeff’s Dad who told me quietly on many occasions that if Jeff didn’t marry me he would adopt me as a daughter. Dad was and will always be an important part of all our lives. I hope we have all learnt and display some of his wonderful characteristics as part of his legacy. We love you and will always miss you Dad.
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jacqueline odlum donated to AGINCOURT BAPTIST CHURCH
Saturday, December 25, 2021
My deepest sympathies to your family.
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Chris Liew uploaded photo(s)
Friday, December 24, 2021
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We will always remember Rob's strong welcoming Sunday handshakes, Rob's fearlessness in asking tough questions in our bible study, most of all we will remember Rob's smiles and laughter, I can still hear them. Greet no more Rob, Christ's handshake will greet you home. Rest in Peace, brother. The Liews
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Marilyn Kimberley posted a condolence
Friday, December 24, 2021
Our Wednesday Night Bible Study will be forever grateful to Rob and Joyce for hosting us for so many years.
We loved going to their home on Scotland Road- it was like our HOME away from home for each of us. AND we each stopped
in the hall to check out the wall of family photos and Rob kept us up to date on the exploits of each of the grandchildren.
When Rob and Joyce moved to Shepherd Village, we changed our venue to a meeting room there, so they could continue to attend. They were the heart of our Meetings
Rob will be missed.
Marilyn Kimberley
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Diane Wheler donated to AGINCOURT BAPTIST CHURCH
Friday, December 17, 2021
Love and prayers are pouring out to you and your family. Our Good Lord has another angel under his wings to care for all eternity.
Diane and Dave Wheler
xoxo
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Dan uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, December 16, 2021
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Bob Gazey Posted Jan 2, 2022 at 5:19 PM
I will always remember Rob's warm, friendly and kind personality.... always asking me about my family and sharing stories about his along with a joke or two along the way. I remember how he ushered so well in greeting people and especially when he ushered for my mother's and son's funeral . What particularly touched me was on a Father's Day many years ago when he and Jeff spoke from the pulpit about their relationsip. It was very impactful to me at that time. Barbara and I will miss you deeply.
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Pam lit a candle
Thursday, December 16, 2021
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A fantastic neighbour and friend to our family. You will be greatly missed. I will always remember our Christmas Eve gatherings on Scotland Rd.
Pam Tonkin
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Garnet posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
My condolences, keeping everyone in my prayers.
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Anne Pillar posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
I only met Bob a couple of times at parties his sister Jean would host. My sincere condolences to you all. May your memories give you some comfort in the days ahead.....Anne Pillar.
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David Pillar lit a candle
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
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Rest in peace Uncle Bob
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The family of Mr. Robert Walker uploaded a photo
Monday, December 13, 2021
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