October 29, 1929 - October 11, 2018
It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, Walter Gliege on October 11, 2018. Walter was born on Oct 29, 1929 in Carlton Saskatchewan to a farming family and was the second of 4 children. On that day the stock market crashed which started the Great Depression and he would always joke that it had been crashing ever since.
Early in 1944 the family left the homestead in Meadow Lake Saskatchewan for Nanaimo and Walter's father started a mink ranch on Park Ave., in the Five Acres area of town. Dad would tell me at that time Nanaimo had about 5000 people plus 5000 soldiers at the army camp. He attended Harewood School until grade seven and later found employment at Nanaimo Radiator Works in 1945. Eventually the company turned into Island Radiators Ltd. and dad worked there until 1969 when he and his wife Lorraine bought the business and began to operate it themselves along with their family. Over the years, the business had many name changes but both "Radiators" and "Walter" were always a constant.
He retired after 55 years in the business.
Dad spend most of his time in his garden and making wooden bird houses and play houses for his great-granddaughters. He also enjoyed watching the hockey games with his favorite companions, Molly, Brandy, Daisy and Sophie on his lap.
Walter is predeceased by his wife Lorraine, who passed away in 2011. He is survived by his daughter Linda (Terry) Olson, Grandchildren Rob (Heidi) Olson, Shannon (Richard) Constance and Daniel (Laura) Olson as well as 6 Great-Grandchildren, Emily, Roland, Katie, Isaac, Christian and Olivia.
He is also survived by his son, brother Max and family, brother-in-law Bob Armstrong and numerous other friends and family members.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 394 Shepherd Ave., Nanaimo, Wednesday, Oct 24, 2018 @ 12 pm.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at NRGH emergency department and third floor for their loving care of dad during his last days.
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