Walter Joseph Jennings
November 23, 1923 – January 23, 2017
Walter passed away peacefully at Chester Village, Toronto on Monday January 23rd. Son of Arthur and Ethel Jennings (nee Fell) from Burlington, Ontario, he was predeceased by his wife of 63 years Mary Jennings (nee Kittson) and is survived by his son Norman Jennings, daughter Nancy Jennings (wife of Dennis Kelly), grandchildren Sarah Kelly and Brendan Kelly who knew him as Grandad, sister Margaret Watson (nee Jennings, wife of Tom Watson deceased), and brother John Jennings (husband of Jacquie).
Born in Bronte Village, Ontario, Walter attended Burlington Central Public School and Burlington High School. In 1946 he graduated in Honour Economics from McMaster University, where he was Managing Editor of the Marmor yearbook in his graduation year remaining an active alumnus helping organize class reunions for over 50 years. Walter met and married Mary when they both worked at Clarkson Gordon in Hamilton, Ontario.
His business career after leaving Clarkson Gordon included Beatty Brothers in Fergus, Ontario, General Steel Wares in Toronto where he was Treasurer, Urwick Currie Management Consultants, and his dream job as Director, Financial Planning for Brascan Limited with much time spent in Brazil. He was co-owner and Chairman of Bowers Process Equipment in Montreal. In 1980 he established his own consulting business W. J. Jennings & Associates developing computer financial planning models, including some early versions of artificial intelligence, for clients including the Hudson’s Bay Company which led to a position with them as Corporate Manager, Financial Planning.
A longtime resident of Oakville, Ontario, Walter was an active member of St. John’s United Church where he served as an Elder. He was president of the Oakville Figure Skating Club and, along with a group of hockey and figure skating parents, was part-owner and operator of the Oakville Ice Centre where a generation of young people first took to the ice.
Walter volunteered at the Oakville Historical Society curating exhibits and for many years he led guided tours of the historic downtown business district. For his contributions, he was awarded an Oakville Volunteer Certificate of the Year Award.
Travelling extensively for both pleasure and business, destinations Walter visited included both coasts of Canada, throughout the USA, the Caribbean, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Australia, Tahiti and Hawaii.
A true modern renaissance man, Walter had an extensive personal library of books on history, art, architecture, music and film. He was a photographer and lover of the music of big bands, jazz greats, classical composers and opera. Walter did extensive genealogical research creating a family tree with almost 400 entries. He collected Canadian historical engravings and maintained a personal archive of unique documents and artifacts. To relax, he planted and tended the extensive gardens at his Oakville home.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Chester Village in Toronto for the compassionate care provided this past year to Walter and, previously, to Mary.
A Graveside Service for family members officiated by Reverend Sheila Murray of St. John’s United Church will he held on Saturday February 4, 2017 at 11:00 am at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery, 1149 Dundas Street West, Oakville, Ontario. A luncheon reception/Celebration of Life will be held afterwards for family and friends at Ward Funeral Home, Oakville Chapel – Reynolds Room, 109 Reynolds Street, Oakville, Ontario from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to The Alzheimer Society Ontario (alzheimer.ca/en/on) and the Oakville Historical Society (www.oakvillehistory.org).
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Walter Jennings.source
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