Walter "Whitey" Christiansen

He was born September 19, 1920 in Mulvihill, Manitoba to Anna and John Christiansen, both born in Olso, Norway, giving Walter (which he proudly liked to say, his “Viking” heritage). He lived in Fort Frances most of his life. After attending Fort Frances High School he worked for Shevlin Clark and then for the paper mill in the sample office until his retirement in 1982.

On November 29, 1941 he married Nettie Toninato. They were married for 57 years until Nettie’s passing in 1998.

“Christy” is survived by three sons:

Ken and wife Mickey of Fort Frances and their sons Mike and Marnie of Etobicoke, ON and Rick and Leigh Ann of Oakville, ON

Keith “Huffer” and wife Evie and their son Bradley and Jeannie and great grandchildren Peter and Susan and their daughter Marla and Juhl Halverson and great grandchildren Mya and Leah all of Duluth, MN

Kelvin “Brush” and wife Marilyn and their daughter Sarah all of Anchorage, Alaska.

He is also survived by sisters-in-law Joyce Toninato of International Falls, MN and Rose May Bolzan of Fort Frances, ON and numerous nieces and nephews.

“Christy” was predeceased by his sisters Donna and husband Arnold Little, Edith and husband Albert Berg, Alfreda, Nan; Inga and husband Eric Pearson; brothers George and wife Margaret, Hank and wife Ingrid, Bob and wife Irene, Harco and wife Gurlie, Ernie and wife Mary.He was the last of the Christiansen siblings.

Also predeceasing Walter are sisters and brothers-in law Jim Bolzan and wife Marie, Tony Bolzan and wife Mildred, Joe Bolzan Sr., Willie Toninato, Raymond, Mario and Patrick, Elvira and husband Ito Coran, Ada and husband Joe Fasan and Sainta and Ron Berry.

Walter served on the Town Council from 1972 to 1988. He was a devoted family man, a skilled athlete and had an avid interest in sports – his favourite being hockey and baseball…an interest that was passed on to his sons. “Whitey” played for the FF Canadians (Allen Cup Champions) and was, by all accounts a talented, cagey center and a superior team player. The team was inducted into The Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1984.

He never forgot the names of the players on that team, including their nicknames and their positions.

He continued to play Rec hockey well into his fifties…he was a long time member of FF Minor Hockey – coached hockey and was a baseball umpire and hockey referee for many years…garnering most of his criticism from his 3 sons for his tough, decisive decisions – which very seldom went their way.

Walter maintained his witty sense of humour until the end – referring affectionately to his female caregivers at Rainycrest as “old hens”.

With a grin on his face, he liked to remind people that he was “older than Santa Claus”.

Whitey’s was a life well-lived.

A Celebration of Whitey’s life will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Frances with Pastor Brian Keffer officiating.

Honourary pallbearers will be Walter’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In Memoriam donations may be made to the Rainycrest Auxillary, 550 Osborne Street, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 3T2

Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.

To Gramps:

“Always a smile instead of a frown

Always a hand when one is down

Always true, thoughtful and kind

Wonderful memories you left behind.”