Walter Shelest

Walter Shelest, aged 92, passed away on February 22, 2026, after a long and full life rooted in the community he cherished. Born on January 8th, 1934 in Prince George, BC, Walter was the son of a Polish immigrant family (Michal and Stefanja “Baba” Shelest) who came to Prince George in 1930. Initially, they homesteaded on Tabor Lake, outside of the town limits. Those early years shaped Walter’s resilience, his work ethic, and his deep appreciation for the land and people around him.

As a young man Walter spent approximately ten years in Kemano, contributing to the development of the Alcan aluminum smelter. Aside from that chapter of his early adulthood, he lived his entire life in Prince George, where he built a career and a legacy in the plumbing and heating trades. Beyond his work, he nurtured a lifelong fascination with science – always curious, always learning, always eager to understand how things worked. That curiosity led him to design and construct three geodesic domes that were proudly displaced downtown for Expo 1967. In the last three decades of his life, Walter devoted himself to advocating for radon awareness, working tirelessly to educate the public and push for safer homes and healthier communities.

His commitment to community ran just as strong. Walter served as a school trustee and was also deeply involved in the Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he served first as the local president and later as the regional president for Northern BC. His leadership and dedication left a lasting mark on the organizations and people he worked alongside.

Walter was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marilyn in 2021, and also by his brothers Frank and Bruno and his sister Staffie. Left to grieve are his three daughters – Lenna, Cindy and Lissa – along with his sister Frances, brother Mike, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, who will remember him with love and gratitude.

A celebration of Walter’s life will be held in the near future, where friends and family may gather to honour his memory and the lasting impact he made on those around him.