Wally would go for long walks, dawn to dusk. 
I asked where he would walk, he said "Everywhere".  His "everywhere" meant he would walk anywhere in the Lower East End.  
One day I asked him to walk along the False Creek Seawall starting at Science World and walk along seawall til we met up. He didn't know how to do this. I was shocked that he lived and worked so close to the Seawall but had never been there. These are a few photos from our journey. I introduced him to this little hidden park with pond, I got him to stop and smell the flowers, listen to the beautiful chorus of red wing blackbirds,  watch the ducklings, climb though the tunnel etc. We walked to Cambie St by the onramp to Cambie Bridge which is where he noticed the beautiful tree in photo.  He exclaimed that the tree was so beautiful! It brought me great joy to see him start to notice the simple beauties in life. 
There's another photo of BC Place lit up and a photo of Statues outside Science World.  One night I met him at dusk at Science World. We laid on the grass, looked up at the sky and watched the clouds...he'd never done that, just sit and watch the clouds.  I loved seeing the joy on his face when he'd stop to enjoy a simple moment.   I know life wasn't easy for him so to be able to introduce him to a simple pleasure made me very happy. 🩷💛🧡

Memory written by Jack Simpson,  a long time regular guest/photographer/friend of staff.

Memory written by LJ, one of the long time Sylvia Restaurant/Lounge night servers.

Memory written by a long time Sylvia lounge regular customer.

Wally was a very kind man who added warmth to our stays at the Sylvia Hotel for many years.  My mother especially enjoyed quipping with him when he so helpfully brought tea to us after we made it back from the opera, and everything else nearby was closed.  Condolences to his family and the staff at the Sylvia who worked with him.

Glenhaven Memorial Chapel

Walter Merasty

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Walter Merasty

January 22, 1959 – September 4, 2023

Glenhaven Memorial Chapel

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