October 13, 1941 – December 12, 2024
Walter passed away Thursday December 12th, 2024, at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. Loving and devoted husband of fifty-eight years to Sharon (nee Torrance). Adoring father to Tara Bauer and Shawna Bauer-Kenyon (Vern). Caring grandfather to Savannah, Edwin & Tucker and Sasha & Aaron.
Walter will also be greatly missed by his dear brother-in-law, Robert Torrance and his beloved brothers; John (Katy), Robert (Marlene) and Rudy (Sharon). As well as his nieces, nephews and many cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Johann (2001) and Maria (2000).
Walter was born just outside of Ardud, Romania (formerly Hungary) and spent the early years of his childhood in Germany. On January 2, 1953, the family arrived in Canada, where they eventually settled in Preston (Cambridge), Ontario. Here he would meet his life-long love, Sharon, on a blind date. The couple married two years later and raised their two daughters in a warm and loving family home in Galt. In 2001, Sharon and Walter fulfilled a dream in moving to Wasaga Beach. Having enjoyed many summer holidays there with their daughters, it was a place they loved and cherished.
Walter’s youthful spirit and fun-loving heart shone through as his five grandchildren came into his life. The kids looked forward to spending summers at the beach; swimming, playing with their Grampy and enjoying his home cooked specialities and favourite dishes. Visits from Gram and Grampy were always greatly anticipated and filled with warmth and family time spent together. The grandchildren hold all these memories dearly. Along with this was his fun sense of humour. Grampy’s unique nicknames (ie. Moonbeam and Bubba-Looey) and his wacky sayings (“What can you do when you live in a shoe…”) will always be carried on and quoted by his family.
Being outdoors was a very important part of Walter’s life. This passion was most deeply felt in Algonquin Park. Walter, along with a few close friends and family members, would take annual springtime fishing trips. They would portage over five miles into the northern end of the park to find just the right campsite with breathtaking scenery (and plenty of fish biting)! Walter was always happy to recount the tales of these adventures and show off his coveted photos.
An exceptional bricklayer and mason, Walter worked throughout the Waterloo-Wellington region and a great deal of southwestern Ontario. From large projects to small designs, his remarkable talent and skillset were highly sought-after. His hard work and dedication to crafting beauty can still be felt throughout the community: in the walls of schools, countless homes, and his one-of-a-kind fireplaces that still emanate his warmth.
Walter was strong in stature with a depth of love to match. His quick wit, quirky sense of humour, and warm presence will be tremendously missed by those blessed to have known him.
Private family arrangements have been entrusted to Carruthers & Davidson Funeral Home, Wasaga Beach. As expressions of sympathy, donations made to Friends of Algonquin Park (algonquinpark.on.ca) would be greatly appreciated. To sign Walter’s Book of Memories, please visit www.carruthersdavidson.com