Obituary for Walter Wasylciw
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Scientist, and Lifelong Learner
1926 – 2025

Walter, a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, passionate chemist, and relentless doer, passed away peacefully at the age of 98. A man who lived nearly a century with curiosity, courage, and grit, he leaves behind a legacy of love, intellect, and inspiration.

Born in 1926 to a Ukrainian immigrant family in Montreal, Walter knew early on the value of hard work and perseverance. With little material wealth but an abundance of determination, he rose above his circumstances for an education to carve out a path that was uniquely his own and for the betterment of his children. 

A true scientist in both profession and spirit, Walter dedicated his career to understanding the world through inquiry and innovation. But his genius was not limited to the lab—he approached life itself as a great experiment, always eager to try something new, always searching for a better way forward.

When he wasn’t working or reading a scientific journal, you could find him immersed in westerns, tending to a garden, completing home improvement projects, casting a line into the water, or analyzing the stock market with the same precision he applied to his research. He loved professional football, followed it fiercely, and counted Tom Brady among his heroes—not just for the championships, but for his relentless drive and resilience.

A man of quiet strength and deep convictions, Walter found his joy in his family, spending much of his retirement living around his grandchildren. With his late wife Helen, they spent 67 years breaking from tradition to take risks, seek out opportunities, while forging a generous path for their children. He was steadfast and loving; as a father, he was both teacher and cheerleader; as a grandfather, he was a source of stories and wisdom. His life was rich in the ways that mattered most— curiosity and kindness.

He outlived his 6 siblings and is survived by his four children and five grandchildren.  

May he rest in peace, having lived fully, loved deeply, and left the world better than he found it.