Walter Stachnyk

Walter leaves behind his son Philip Stachnyk and his wife Fiona McCrea, as well as his daughters Teresa Fontinato (Roger) and Christine Benedetti, and grandchildren Andrew and Nikolas.

From humble beginnings, Walter was born at the peak of the Great Depression to Anna and Nicholas Stachnyk, immigrants from Ukraine, in the family homestead in Erwood, Saskatchewan. He was the fifth in a family of seven children.

Walter is predeceased by his parents, brothers Myron, Leon, Peter and sisters Nettie and Ollie. He is survived by his sister Doris Festeryga.

Walter attended the same one room, 8 grades, log schoolhouse with all of his siblings. After the family moved to Waterford Ontario in 1948, Walter completed school at Waterford High School.

During the summer months, Walter (along with rest of his siblings) always had a job on the family farm in Waterford.

After grade 13, Walter attended Ryerson Institute of Technology graduating in 1957 from the school of Chemical Engineering/Technology.

His first job (1957) was in Montreal in sales and application engineering of controls equipment for processing plants. It is here where he met Anna in January of 1959.

In May 1959, Walter joined a Guelph firm, General Controls Company, in sales and application engineering.

Walter and Anna were married in January 1961 in Montreal. They made their home in Guelph where their 3 children were born. In 1963, Walter was promoted to Manager Industrial Controls Sales, in April 1965 he became General Manager at 29 years of age, and in 1966 he was made General Manager of Controls Division of ITT Canada.

In 1972, Walter was given another unit of ITT, Fluid Products division, to look after. He was made Vice President of ITT Canada and served on the Board of Directors. He also served on the Board of Abby Life Insurance, a unit of ITT. In 1973-74, Walter accepted the challenge of managing two additional plants in Warwick RI, and St. George SC for a period of 10 months while maintaining responsibility for operations in Guelph and Calgary.

Later in his career, Walter joined Linamar Corporation and was instrumental in the start-up of the Transgear Plant. After 14 years with the company, he retired from the position of Group Vice President running three plants with 1000 employees. Walter retired in 2000 with mixed feelings; missing the people and challenges of business, but now free to travel and relax.

Over the years, his travels for work (many with Anna) were from coast to coast of Canada, and USA. Pleasure trips always with Anna covered most countries in Europe, the Caribbean, China and Japan.

Walter’s community service included membership on Boards of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Guelph, Junior Achievement (Chairman), City of Guelph Industrial Development Commission (Vice Chair), Board of Commissioners of the Guelph General Hospital, and Chair of the Quality Assurance Committee at the Hospital.

Also, in retirement Walter and Anna both maintained and enjoyed their home and its setting; and took part in different social and service clubs. A big part of their lives was spending time with their family. Walter was a long-term member of the Cutten Club (50 plus years), where he enjoyed playing golf with life-long friends.

Walter leaves a legacy of a life focused on family and community. We are thankful for the many wonderful memories, and he will be sorely missed.

We are grateful to Dr. Laird, The Village of Arbour Trails, nurse Marly of Bayshore, his many PSWs and 6 West of Guelph General Hospital for their professional and compassionate care.

Friends and family may call at the Gilbert MacIntyre Funeral Home on Friday, Dublin Chapel, 252 Dublin St. N., Guelph on Friday, June 26th from 6 to 8 PM. There will be a private service on Saturday June 27th.

Like his wife Anna, Walter had a soft heart for many charities in need. In lieu of flowers donations in Walter’s name can be made to Heart and Stroke, Canadian Cancer Society and Alzheimer Society.

Donations may be left at the funeral home or online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com