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.
Loving, and very much loved, grandfather.