Walter Garvin Thompson Jr.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents Walter Sr. and Amy, and his infant sister Sonia.

He is survived by his wife Lilian, son Sylvan, daughter Ryhna (Vid), grandchildren Zachary (Becky), Jasmine (Henrique), Aria, Chenoa, Jesse, Celena, Odin, Uma and great-granddaughter Lua.

As he passed away, his wife and each of his children were able to hold him and spend time with him. Every grandchild connected with him on video calls. He met his first great-grandchild for the first time. He was surrounded with love.

Walter Garvin Thompson, Jr. was born on December 21, 1936 on a farm near Hatton, North Dakota. Growing up as an only child, he was close to his extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. His Hatton roots remained an important part of his identity his whole life, always holding a special place in his heart, stories about which he wove into daily life with his wife, children and grandchildren.

At 17 years of age, he left to serve with the US Navy for about 4 years. He then studied and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at Mayville State College, followed by a Master of Science in Mathematics at North Dakota State University. He taught Mathematics at Mayville State College. His drive to explore the wide world never escaped him however, and he travelled to Australia and New Zealand for one year. He carried this experience with him throughout his days.

Walter was a man with many intellectual gifts. He went on to study for a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. It was there that he met and married his wife, life partner and best friend of 52 years, Lilian Umale Thompson.

After a year of teaching at Illinois Valley Community College in Illinois, the couple settled in Toronto, Ontario in 1969 and had 2 children, Sylvan and Ryhna. Toronto became their home for the remainder of his days. He began his career in Toronto teaching high school math but soon shifted to a computer programmer/analyst career working at NCR until his retirement in 1995. In this position, he was able to balance work and family life. He was a remarkable husband, parent, and also son-in-law to Francisco and Perla Umale with whom he also lived for 22 years.

Even after his retirement, Walter continued to travel for another 25 years. He was ever-curious, open-minded and open-hearted. He traveled with his wife until his health would no longer allow it. Together they voyaged to more than 80 countries and to every continent - including Antarctica.

Walter was patient and he was kind. He was gentle, loving and selfless. He was honest, he was wise, he was peaceful - and he was fun. His spirit will live on through his family, and those who had the fortune of knowing him. He will be forever missed.

Our family would like to thank the caring, compassionate and dedicated doctors, nurses and staff at Cummer Lodge who took good care of Walter for many years.

If you wish, you may consider a donation to the Alzheimer's society or a charity of your choice in his honour.

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