Wally's Last Night

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

There is so much sadness here since Wally’s passing that I thought it might help somewhat to share with everyone how wonderful his last night on this planet was. It was Father’s Day, a happy and celebratory occasion, and he spent it with his children. He was incredibly proud of them and thoroughly enjoyed every moment he got to be with them. It’s brief, but here is what he had to say about his dinner and time with his kids on his last night.
**Shayna 06/18/20 8:34 PM **

Hi sweetheart! Happy Father’s Day. How was dinner? How was your day?

**WallyM7 06/18/20 8:35 PM **

Thank you, sweet. Dinner was great.

For appetizer, I had stuffed mushrooms, and for the main course I had a sirloin steak, baked potato with sour cream, and baby carrots.

For dessert, coffee with cognac and cheesecake.

Son had Lobster Newburg(yuck)and daughter had Filet Mignon(very nice). We always taste each other’s food when we go out. I don’t know how that started.

We also had a bottle of claret. Amy had a sip, made a face, and said, “How can you guys drink this stuff?”

Steve said, “You see, and you thought that we have a good time when we drink.”

She tries so hard not to laugh at his jokes, but she lost it that time. Bless them both. They’re a joy to me in my old age.

Shayna 06/18/20 8:37 PM

It sounds like you had a wonderful time! :slight_smile: And dinner sounds delicious!

**WallyM7 06/18/20 8:38 PM **

Yeah, it was very nice. And they paid!

Shayna 06/18/20 8:39 PM

That’s so sweet. You have so much to be proud of.


He did, indeed, have much to be proud of. And I'm proud to be able to call such an incredible man friend.

I've emailed this excerpt to Amy, as well as some others where he talked about her and Steve, in the hopes that it would comfort them to see their father's words. I hope it brings the Straight Dope community some comfort to know how happy he was, as well.

I love you, Wally.

Shayna
2

Shayna, what HAPPENED to Wally? When I read of his death, I’d thought it was associated with his bypass. But then I saw Amy’s thread mentioning an “accident.”

Are any Canadian papers printing his obit? If it was a work-related accident, I’d think it might even be a news story. I want to read more about Wally; who he was, what he did . . .

3

Shayna, I don’t know what to say, I’m all choked up. I know that Amy & Steve will take comfort reading how much their father loved and treasured him. Thank you for sharing this with us.

4

Very sweet. I’m glad he was able to spend Father’s Day with his loved ones! He will be sorely missed!

5

Hi Eve. Wally owned his own business. They built, installed and repaired plastic blow moulding equipment that was used primarily to make plastic bottles for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use. He had 2 employees whom he treasured dearly. And he was proud that he paid them the 20% over industry standards that he said they deserved (just like Wally to be so generous, eh?).

I don’t have any specifics about the fall itself, but apparently he fell quite a distance, as his injuries were very extensive. (Not for the faint of heart - do not read if this will upset you!) He suffered massive internal injuries and a serious cranial fracture. They operated, and he drifted in and out of consciousness, but at 10:40am on June 20th he succumbed to his injuries and passed on.

Amy’s words from her email to me: “He fought hard, but I guess God wanted him more… He was surrounded by many, many friends and family in his final moments.”

His absense has left an indescribable emptiness in my heart. I can only imagine what it’s done to his family. Bless them, and may their hearts heal with time.

6

Powerful, sad and uplifting too.

Should I be able to go out loved by so many, I’ll have considered my life well lived.

7

Thank you so much, Shayna, for posting those details. As painful as they are, so many people here were wanting to know what happened.

And also for posting his words. Everyone should live their lives blessed with such family and friends.

8

How AWFUL—I do hope they had him on plenty of pain medication. We all feel badly for his employees as well as his family.

Now I will never be able to use a plastic shampoo bottle without thinking of Wally . . .

9

Thank you, Shayna.

10

Thank you for sharing, Shayna.

If we have to leave this earth, that’s the way to go. Doing something you love, surrounded by loving family and friends. Your final memory of your family (and their memory of you) is of a joyous family outing. Our Wally deserved no less.

11

Thank you so much, Shayna. It means a lot to know.

Catrandom

12

Thanks for sharing that with us Shayna.

13

Thanks so much for sharing that, Shanya, as much as it hurts to read it. It’s incredibly hard to read what my buddy Wally must have gone through. Dammit. But I’m glad I know.

“La vie est absurde et Dieu n’existe pas”
(Jean-Paul Sartre)

Not to offend anyone, but there’s nothing more reflective of my sentiments right now.

14

This totally sucks. I never corresponded with Wally, but read his posts religiously. Each time I read a post re:Wally I start tearing up.

I just want to let each and every one out on the SD how much this community means to me.

:wally

15

I agree, Coldfire. I agree.

16

Thats just what I was thinking lately, God wanted him more.
We wanted him a lot, but, just think, if God misses you that much you must be pretty wonderful-and he was.:slight_smile:

17

Thank you for posting this, Shayna.

And Cold…couldn’t agree more.

18

Thanks Shayna.

Although nothing can soften the loss, there is some comfort in knowing that Wally had a wonderful Father’s Day with his family.

Reflecting yesterday upon an E-mail he sent me before his heart surgery, to thank me for the well wishes, I realized that he had a good five months after that scare in which his family and friends realized how precious he was, and rallied around him.

There is a grace in that too, and Wally richly deserved it.

19

:)Wally!:slight_smile:

20

Jill, thank you so much for all you have done for all of us these past few days. You took up the difficult and painful task of telling the board about the loss of a dear friend and popular poster, and here have opened your heart and shared your last conversation with this person. That you gave what has to be the personally painful details of his fall, offering explanation to the confusion many of us have shared, speaks of your strength and integrity. I admire you a lot, girl. I really do. And, as many have already said, thank you.

Next time we meet, I’m giving you a big hug as well as a froo-froo drink. :slight_smile: