It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Walter R. Parsons (Wally) on June 2, 2022. He is survived by his son Chris and wife Marie-Esther Caron and their children Sarah and Elisabeth; son Robert and wife Lisa Greening; and daughter Jenny and partner Andrew Clare and their children Ella, Mitchell and Jaxon. Predeceased by his parents Jack and Isa, and his brothers Doug (late Beverly) and Harry (Evelyn). Brother of Marion, Kimberley, Sondra, Kendra and Ernie.
Wally was involved in the dairy industry from 1968 to 2000, first as General Sales Manager for Clark Dairy from 1968 to 1971, then as Vice-President, Sales and Marketing from 1971 to 1977. From 1977 to 1979, he was Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Donlands Dairy in Toronto and also served as Chair of the Management Committee. In 1979, he returned to Ottawa, where he served as Vice-President and General Manager of Neilson Dairy and also as a Member of the Wm. Neilson Ltd. Executive Committee until 1989. He was then made Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Neilson Dairy and continued as Member of the Executive Committee before retiring in 2000.
The skills he acquired over a long and successful corporate career were applied beyond the boardroom. He proudly served a member on the Boards of the Riverside Hospital, Friends of the Farm, the Better Business Bureau, and the Ottawa Food Bank, among others.
As Vice-Chair of Canada Science and Technology Museum's Board of Trustees, his experience and know-how were of tremendous help. Having grown up on a farm, he took particular pride in events that benefitted the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum, most notably the annual “Baskets with Panache”, which raised enough funds to allow thousands of disadvantaged children to participate in exciting educational experiences.
As a Goodwill Ambassador for Neilson Dairy and Weston Foods, he worked closely with the Weston family, and was grateful for the support they provided to the many causes he championed including Perley Health and the Ottawa Heart Institute. He was one of Ottawa’s most energetic and creative volunteers, and his events raised millions for charity. He was generous with his time and wisdom and leaves a legacy of caring.
Wally was a Napanee boy at heart who never lost his love for nature, and the joy of playing sports in the great outdoors as part of a team.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Guests are invited to attend a Memorial Service at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa), on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the ‘Wally Parsons Summer Camp Fund’ at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (Ingenium Foundation). This fund, established and supported by Wally throughout his life, creates opportunities for children from disadvantaged communities to experience the farm and share in his love for the countryside.
Digital Guestbook
Michelle Dondo-Tardiff
Marion Parsons
I'm sorry for your loss, he certainly made his mark on the world and will be missed. Love, Marion
Gloria and Keith Taylor
To Rob, Lisa and the Parsons family. So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. It sure sounds like your dad had a full and fulfilling life. My condolences to you all. Take care.
Garfield Mitchell
Wally was a special and wonderful man, and I was honoured to know him. My sincere sympathy to the whole family and his many friends.
Marc Cappelli
Wally was a kind man who championed many fundraisers in the community such as the Night at the races and the Baskets with Panache annual event at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum for underprivileged children, which I proudly worked on with him for many years. Wally, you will be dearly missed.
Christopher Terry
It was my great pleasure to have worked with the incomparable Wally Parsons for many years during his time on the Board of the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation. We spent countless hours together, not a few of which were at his special table at Robbie's. Others were spent with various Ministers of Canadian Heritage during his time as Interim Board Chair advocating for a new facility for the Science and Technology Museum. Wally was tireless, charming and a force of nature. And he never asked anyone to go anywhere he was not prepared to go as is eloquently shown by his singular personal support for the work of the Canada Agriculture Museum, his great love. We were blessed to have had this larger than life man on our team. It was a privilege and great honour to have been so closely associated with him.
Krista MacLatchie
So sorry to hear about Wally's passing. I knew him through my husband Ian and his mother Susan MacLatchie.
Wally would call me every few months to catch up and I always loved talked with him.
I'll certainly miss those calls.
Krista
Thayne Pelletier
Very sad to learn of Wally’s passing. I worked with Wally at Neilson Dairy from 1997 to 2001. He kept in touch over the years and was always a good friend. My most sincere condolences to the family.
Delphine Hasle, Perley Health Foundation
I am so sorry for your greatest loss. I worked with Wally on the last 8 of the 18 Night at the Races for the Perley. Those events were epic and raised much-needed funds for Seniors and Veterans. His energy was contagious!
Greg Jenkins
I am very sorry to hear of Wally's passing and my deepest sympathies to the family. Wally hired me at Neilson Dairy in 1994 and was an exceptional leader and an incredibly respected executive within George Weston Ltd. Wally was a true mentor and played a huge role in the development of those who had the privilege to work with him. He leaves a wonderful legacy from his time at Neilson and the many charities he supported so selflessly over the years. He will be missed .
Wally was such an inspiration and a wonderful ambassador for many charities. I hade the pleasure to work with him on Baskets with Panache at the Canada Agriculture Museum and with his brother Harry at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. I also remember fondly the Night at the Races that he organized. Rest In Peace my friend.