Walter Much

While sitting in his favourite chair and waiting for his morning cappuccino Walter Much passed away peacefully in his 94th year in Vancouver. He was predeceased by his three brothers, his son, and his wife, Katie, to whom he had been married for an astonishing 68 years.

Waldemar “Walter” Much was born in Grausduppen, Latvia on August 8, 1931. At the age of 17 he emigrated to Canada, sponsored by an uncle in Ponoka, Alberta. After working on his uncle’s farm for a year, he went to Whitehorse in B.C. to operate heavy machinery in the mines. This led to him creating his own crane rental company in the early 1960s in Burnaby, Much Crane Service & Contractors Ltd., which eventually turned into the successful Much & Time situated in Richmond.

A committed sun-worshipper he and Katie owned homes in Mexico and Hawaii and moved from one luxurious home to another virtually all over the west coast. Many will still recall riotous evenings with the “Much Brothers” on the roof of the Vancouver Hotel and some might remember spectacular boating excursions as Walter loved the sea.

Walter is survived by his daughters Irene, Angela and Rita, his nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

There will be no funeral or memorial service but be assured that many a glass will be raised in his memory.