Born in Toulouse, France, Walter died in Vancouver General Hospital’s medical dementia unit. He met Gerda, the love of his life, in Prince George and they were married in Kitimat, BC. He is lovingly remembered by Gerda, daughter Denyze, and sons Mark (Ria) and Paul (Sandra) and sister Armida (Curly); much beloved grandchildren Thomas, Michaela (Davide), Spencer, Jake and Dylan as well as extended family and friends in Canada, France, Italy, Germany and the USA.
Walter immigrated to Canada at age 11, along with his sister and widowed mother, Letizia, who remarried & the family settled in Stewart, BC. Walter was 15 when he joined the Bank of Montreal, Stewart’s only bank, beginning a very satisfying, and distinguished (44-year) career involving promotions and transfers to fondly remembered communities throughout BC.
While in Nelson, he won an amazing and life-changing BMO scholarship, culminating in a first-class Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from UBC. He subsequently chose to live in Vancouver, taking on various senior BMO management positions, culminating in the one he loved best: Commercial Banking Manager, Real Estate Finance for BC and the Yukon.
Upon his retirement from the Bank in 1998 his new business cards now read: ski-bum, tennis-bum, and he lived up to these. Walter was energetic and healthy until, in the last 6 months, dementia weakened him rapidly, quickly reducing his active lifestyle.
Walter was very much a family man and a wonderful host who was always gracious and welcoming. He had a zest for life and, besides skiing and tennis, he enjoyed the company of family and friends, travel, dancing, jazz, red wine, chopping wood, tinkering about the property, taking things apart and putting them back together and so much more.
He will be remembered for his kindness of heart, his charm, his spirit of generosity, and the wonderful sense of humour, which he showed in every situation: A true gentleman with a genuine love for people.
Memorial Service will be held on 2:30 pm, Friday, October 11th, 2019 at the Canadian Memorial United Church, Burrard St. & West 15th Avenue. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. Donate at vghfoundation.ca/walter-toffoli, or by calling 604 875 4676 or by mail to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Walter Marius Toffoli..
Décès pour la Ville: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique