It is with heavy hearts that the Sitch family announce the passing of their Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa Walter, on February 14, 2024.
Walter was born May 3, 1927 to parents Ernest and Sadie Sitch (nee: Parker). He spent his childhood in O’Connor Township and then his teen years on the shores of Saganaga Lake where he learned to hunt, trap, fish, and live off the land in this beautiful remote Canadian setting.
After spending a summer working as a fire tower man at Mowe Lake, Walter went to Shebandowan at the age of 18 where he “immediately knew he was home”. With a start working for the local Department of Lands and Forests, it wasn’t long before Walter bought property on Forestry Bay and built a house he and his family would call home for an incredible 77 years.
In 1951, Walter met and married the love of his life, Ethel Skog of Finmark. Their union was blessed with five sons and two daughters. Walter provided for his young family by first cutting and hauling cordwood himself with his 1954 International truck, and then starting a successful marina business on his own property. “Sitch’s Marina” became a staple of Lake Shebandowan where Walter and the family sold boats and motors, operated a general store and minnow selling business, as well as providing gas and renting two cabins. It was during this time Walter also became a dealer for Scorpion snow machines and along with his sons, became a force to be reckoned with on the local snow machine racing circuit.
While winding down the business, Walter went to work at the Shebandowan Inco Iron Mine as a First Aid/Security person and remained there until his retirement. During his time at the mine, and into his retirement, Walter enjoyed travelling with Ethel and the family, taking time in most summers to pack up the camper van and head to Osoyoos, Wisconsin Dells, Branson Missouri, and taking two memorable trips to Alaska and any other destinations that were warm and where country music could be heard.
Walter had a legendary passion for country music from a very young age and purchased his first guitar as a youth from the Eaton’s catalogue. When he retired from the mine, he was able to take this passion full-time.
He learned how to read music and played the fiddle in numerous country bands that delighted audiences in venues all over Northwestern Ontario, both at outdoor fairs and celebrations, as well as at many senior residences.
Walter will be sadly missed by his children Harry, Russell (Ruth), Terry, Evelyn, Carol (Matt), and David (Jala) as well as grandchildren Ryan (Evie), Kim, Elaine, and Sarah (Neil) and seven great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his sister Velma Liddicoat and sister-in-law Polly McLean.
He was predeceased by his wife Ethel, son Don, and his special friend late in life, Eva.
Walter’s family would like to thank Donna Hawryluk and Ted Chisholm for helping extend Walter’s time living at the Lake.
A private family service will be held. If friends so desire, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.
“A LIFE WELL LIVED”
He is Gone
You can shed tears that he is gone,
Or you can smile because he has lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or you can be full of the love you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what he would want; smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
