Walter Falk 85, passed away on June 22, 2024 at Barrhead Alberta, after a long struggle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Born in Fort Frances, Ontario on April 7, 1939, Walter was the son of Maria and Nells Falk.
Walter played violin from the age of 5 and at 13 discovered his love of guitar. When Walter became blind he went to Toronto to the CNIB and while there he was enrolled in the Royal Conservatory of Music. As well as teaching guitar in Thunder Bay, Walter was flown into remote Northern Ontario communities to teach. Walter later moved to Alberta where he continued to play and teach music in Edmonton and was responsible for setting up a guitar program for all the United Conservatory studios in Western Canada.
Walter raised horses on a farm north of St Albert and crafted leather items for sale in a store he and his partner operated in Morinville. Walter also worked at City Lumber where he apprenticed and became a sawfiler. He ended his career as Head Sawfiler at Manning Diversified Forest Products and moved to Barrhead, Alberta to retire. He taught guitar and violin from his home for a few years longer and volunteered playing music at various functions in the area.
Walter touched many lives in his various roles as horseman, musician, teacher and mentor.
Walter is survived by his loving partner, Betty of 33 years, his daughters Pamela, Lisa, Cathy, Tara, Cheryl and Jennifer, his brother Randy and sisters Debora, Suzan and Georgina. He was predeceased by his daughters Sharlene and Janice, his parents Nells and Maria, his brother Nells (Junior) and sister Thelma.
A Celebration of Life for Walter will be held at the Glenreagh Community Hall, one mile North and one mile west of Barrhead on Highway #18 on September 7th. The service will commence at 11:00 A.M. with lunch to follow and a jam session after lunch.
