Mr. Walter Joseph Nazarewycz

Obituary

Walter (Wally) Joseph Nazarewycz On October 19, 2012 at the age of 58. After a courageous battle, Wally passed away peacefully at his home in Toronto surrounded by his family. He will be missed by his parents Michael and Franka, his wife Wendy, sons Michael and Andrij, brother Roman, sister-in-law Irene, niece Raisa, step sons Alexander and Christopher, and his many friends and extended family. After graduating in 1974 from St. Lawrence College’s Animal Health Program, Wally joined the University of Toronto’s Department of Comparative Medicine. He participated in cancer and AIDS research as well as assisted in breakthrough transplant medicine. During his time at the University, Wally obtained his RMLAT. In 1990 Wally joined The Toronto Zoo as Supervisor of Animal Health in the Zoo hospital. During his career he served on the CALAS Board of Directors, COR Committee, Emergency Planning Committees, assisted in the development of Animal Health curriculums for various Ontario colleges, and provided learning and mentoring opportunities for students. Wally was best known for all the extra activities he coordinated. He organized and participated in numerous fundraising events, education programs, lottery pools and social activities. Wally worked with the Children’s Wish Foundation, organized the Zoo’s annual fundraising golf tournament, was the BBQ Chef at Zoo events, and was the Zoo Santa Claus. He introduced children across Canada to the Zoo with his appearances on “This is Emily Young”, a children’s TV program. Wally loved the behind-the-scenes tours he gave at the Zoo, one of which left Jenny McCarthy’s breasts sweating. Wally was at the center of gossip and current events, and his friends and coworkers would say he thought he knew everything. He loved his coworkers even after finding they had covered his phone in lubricant and keyboard in honey. Wally was gregarious, jovial, and energetic. He worked hard and played hard. He had a close relationship with his parents who he cared for and supported. He considered his friends his family. He always made time for golf. He even worked at Clublink to enjoy the benefit of playing for free, and he bragged incessantly about it. Although he was nominated by his son for Good Housekeeping’s Father of the Year Award, it was never received as his sons learned to curse by the second grade and are still confused when discerning a horse from a cow. Wally lived and died the way he wanted. He passed away peacefully just before 9:00am at home, as Sunnybrook has a no smoking policy. He left us early on a Friday morning for a tee off time at 9:15 with Father Luchka. We all will be comforted to know that where he is now there are no idiots driving slowly in the fast lane and animals will no longer see him as someone who pokes and prods them. And as he approaches each golf shot, out of respect and as to not distract him from taking the perfect swing, the birds will pause their singing. Our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Odette Cancer Centre, Central East CCAC, Paramed, Ste. Elizabeth Health Care, Spectrum Health Care, Bayshore Pharmacy, and his many friends for their care, advocacy, guidance, and compassion. Visitation at the Cardinal Funeral Home, 92 Annette Street (near Keele), on Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 4-7 pm & Monday, October 22, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. with Panachyda at 8:00p.m. Funeral Mass Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 11am. at Ukrainian Catholic Church of The Holy Protection (30 Leeds Street). Interment St.Volodymyr Cemetery(Oakville). On line condolences www.cardinalfuneralhomes.com.

Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation