18 Long Years

On this date in 1989 we lost in my estimation a 'One in a Million' in the loss of Walter Frederick Mayers.




I only had the privilege to know Wally for approximately 24 years and the first 3-4 years I really didn't say too much to him as he had such an imposing personality and scared the bejesus out of me. But as you got to know the 'true' Wally, you found that he didn't have a mean bone in his body and would give his shirt to anyone at the drop of a hat.






It's true that Wally smoked too much, weighed too much and definitely drank too much. But those vices happen to a lot of folks in the world and you learn to live with their vices.

I wasn't around when his children were being raised (other than the young ones ie Kay and Jamie), so I can only reflect on how he treated his grandchildren. He loved every one of them with no reservations. It didn't matter if the grandkids were just dropped off by the parents for a short visit or for a longer scheduled holiday at the lake with them. He loved them all and treated them all with as much love as he could give. Yes, he smoked and drank a bunch and was opinionated as all get out, but that was Wally.

It's funny in one aspect that all his son-in-laws saw the good part of Wally whereas some of his own sons only saw his faults. That is their right, however, I feel they missed so much of the great latter years of their father. Their loss and my and my family's gain.


To most in the family, we had a couple places we would normally find Wally, either at 726 6 Street East or at the Lake. In the summer months after his retirement, you would only find him at Christopher where he manned the kitchen table watching out the window/door for the time when one of the 'kids' drove up. Yup he would normally be found with a shot glass cupped in his huge hand with a 'touch of the good stuff' in the glass just waiting for you to come through the door.

My only regret is that Wally just didn't get long enough to really enjoy his retirement. He had joined the Navy as a youngster and served during WWII. On his return to Saskatoon he found employment with the Dairy in July 1945 and served with one Dairy company or other for the next 40 years until March of 1985 when he retired after his 65th birthday.

His favourite place in the world after his retirement was his cabin at Christopher Lake. I remember driving up in the winter with him to 'just check the cabin' whereas I knew he just wanted to see it one more time as he missed it.

Sadly he only got to enjoy 4 years of his retirement prior to being called 'Up Above'.





I'm sure anyone that ever was at the Mayers cabin at Christopher Lake will remember the name on the above picture. 'Fat Albert' was his CB callsign, but Wally didn't take offence that he was a bit overweight. He knew we called him Fat Albert with the love that we had for him.

I and everyone in my family misses you Wally. May you 'Rest In Peace' and watch over us.

We miss you ever day!