Walter Lawrence Morrow

Walter is now reunited with his beloved wife, Hughetta Morrow. Cherished father of Mary Morrow, (Paul van den Bosch), Michael Morrow and Diane Morrow (Ralph Carroll). Loving grandpa of Maria (Jack), Ben, Joseph (Brianna), Anne, John, Frances, Bernadette, Dayna (Tristan), Maggie (Gord), and Hugh (Jessica). Proud great grandpa of Emelia, Finch, Darien, William, Finnigan, Adalyne, Aynsleighlynn, Axel, and the upcoming addition Ayrabelle. Predeceased by his parents James and Lillian Morrow. Dear brother of late Sr. Irene Morrow, late Hugh Morrow (late Rita), late Jerome Morrow, Geraldine Albanese (late Phil), late Dolores Gordon (late John), late Lorraine Bolger (late Frank), late Bernice Diner, and Bernard Morrow. Walter will be missed and fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to visit the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street East, 705-759-2522) on Sunday, October 26, 2025, between 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel (114 MacDonald Avenue) on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 11:00 am with Rev. Trevor Scarfone officiating. Following Mass, Walter will be laid to rest with his wife at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Friends are welcome to join for a time of fellowship and refreshments following the mass while the family attends the burial at which time they will return. Memorial contributions (payable by cheque or online) to Light the Cross - (to assist with funding to light the cross at St. Mary's - Sault Ste. Marie) would be greatly appreciated. (https://lightthecross.com/services). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

The Life of Walter Morrow

Written by his granddaughter, Maggie Moor

How do you sum up nearly 100 years in just a few minutes? Grandpa Walter would tell me to focus on the stories, the ones that shape who we are and what we value in life. So here goes.

My earliest impressions of comfort and home involve warm yellow light spilling from the windows of my grandparents’ farmhouse. We’d bolt from the car straight into grandma’s arms, while grandpa would joke, “What about me? Don’t you like my new haircut?”

With patience and love, he taught his kids and grandkids how to build with wood, pick raspberries, play the mandolin, and beat him at Elevens. He taught us how to love: with gentleness, respect, acts of service, and gratitude.

Born in 1926 and brought home to the tiny hamlet of Hurkett, Walter lived through decades of unprecedented social and technological changes. He remained grounded in his faith as well as his ties to family history, and he passed on these values to each new generation. His wisdom remains with us, giving us hope and strength.

He spent his childhood living in a small home with his parents and siblings. They all did their part to run that happy household, and grandpa was proud to learn how to cook, clean, sew, fish, farm, build, raise animals, and transport lumber. He believed in the importance of self-sufficiency and survival skills. While working on his father’s commercial fishing vessel, he learned that blue skies are pleasant, but we only truly learn how to sail in a storm.

With his father and brothers, he built a family home in Port Arthur, now known as Thunder Bay. That home still stands as a welcome refuge for Morrows far and wide, a testament to our family values of love, hospitality, and community.

When Walter was called to work as a mechanic in White River, there wasn’t even highway access to that rural town. He was hesitant to leave his family behind, but taking that leap was the best decision he ever made. He fell in love with Hughetta Mulligan, a bright-eyed, mischievous post-mistress who was almost certainly out of his league. She loved him for his gentleness, his sobriety, and his honesty. He would recall, with a twinkle in his eye, the trouble she gave him during their courtship: “Walter, why do you have to take things so seriously? Can’t we just have a little fun?”

Eager to provide for his little family, Walter took another daring venture, this time moving to Toronto to finish his schooling while living with his sister, Dolores. It wasn’t always easy and sometimes Walter and Hughetta had to be apart. He still has the letters they sent one another. He has always credited his success at school to his wife’s bravery and encouragement at the time. Walter eventually went from having a grade 8 education to a master’s degree in psychology, though in his characteristic humility you’d never hear it from him.

Their hearts overflowed with love with the arrival of baby Mary, and it wasn’t long before Walter and Hughetta welcomed Michael and Diane into the family. They were a family who prayed together, played together, and spent their summers camping in their tent trailer. As teens, the kids gave their parents a run for their money, but they grew up knowing they were loved, and that Mom and Dad would always be there for them in times of need. Some Walter wisdom for us all: “If you’re worried about being a good parent, you already are one.”

Walter taught mechanics at Sault College for 26 years. He often reminded me to be humble, lest I forget how much there is to learn from the people we set out to teach. He left a positive impact on hundreds of students that remains today.

Walter lived out his faith more genuinely than anyone I have ever met. He prayed daily: murmuring rosaries with his wife as they strolled up and down the lane, leading grace before every meal accompanied by an ever-growing list of intentions, observing perpetual adoration, and singing hymns. If God had a phone line, Walter would have him on speed-dial. He took feeding Jesus’ sheep seriously, opening his home to foster families and teens, and dedicating time and money to supporting those in need. Even in his later years, he uplifted others by visiting retirement home residents and blessing them with his company. His contributions to Our Lady of Good Council parish as a Deacon and Parishioner will never be forgotten, and though his pew may remain empty, his presence will remain on the hearts and minds of all who knew him. He taught us all to never let our hearts grow hard.

Walter treasured his wife, and he worried that he hadn’t done enough to show it. I beg to differ: I’m pretty sure Hughetta never had to open a door for herself for her entire married life. As they both started to show signs of age, he kept a handmade wooden stool in their Caravan, setting it just outside her door as he gently guided her out of the car. Every time they said grace, he would stand up, walk around the table, and give his beloved a kiss. To every small request she made - and there were many - he obliged with selfless devotion. He has missed her every day since her passing, choosing to channel his grief into gratitude for the blessing of 52 years they had together. There’s something we can learn from that, too.

After a 14-year wait, they are finally together again. I’ve barely scratched the surface of Walter’s gentle and faith-filled life, but I’ll leave you with this: If you think this eulogy ran a little long, you need to spend more time talking to Morrows.