Obituary for Reverend Paul Frederic WALMSLEY
WALMSLEY, Rev. Paul
With profound sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Rev. Paul Walmsley, deeply cherished husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, friend, and minister of St. James Anglican parish in Ingersoll, Ontario.
His absence is felt most poignantly by his loving wife of 25 years Dianne Walmsley; his daughters Kimberley Roblin (Donald MacDonald) and Vanessa Matheson (Jimmy Atkinson); his stepchildren Brad Patterson (Tara Patterson), Kerri Jones, and Ashleigh Patterson (Paul Davy) and his seven grandchildren; Parker, Gordon, Farrah, Ella, Quinn, Levon and Aiyla. He is predeceased by his sisters Shelley and Jane and his parents Gordon and Onalee Walmsley of Hamilton, Ontario.
Our family was so blessed to have him as our patriarch but also as our esteemed spiritual leader. Besides performing countless baptisms and weddings for his parishioners over the years, we were privileged to have him baptize Brad, Ashleigh and Gordon and officiate the marriages of Brad to Tara, Kerri to Cody and Kimberley to Donald.
But his working life began quite a bit earlier as a delivery boy on his bicycle in Hamilton. And while still in high school he was hired as a radio host where he honed his skills as a dynamic public speaker. He loved his radio jobs and worked as a DJ in Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Huntsville, and Parry Sound. To provide for his growing family he moved on to insurance sales and then insurance adjusting becoming a partner of a successful firm. The many insurance scams that people attempted were a great source of amusement to him and he had endless hilarious stories. At age 50 he felt a calling and enrolled at the University of Ottawa to become an Anglican Minister. He has been a warm and compassionate church leader in MacGregor Bay, Thunder Bay, Manitoulin Island, Port Sydney, and Ingersoll. And after three attempts at retirement, he remained as busy, dedicated, and passionate about his ministry as ever.
Paul had many strengths but his most dominant were his sense of humour, his intellect, and his true love of humanity. His sense of adventure was grand and childlike, and he could be very mischievous. He loved woodworking, and the Hamilton Tigercats. He loved to be in nature and was an avid sailor; in his younger years once adventuring down the South Eastern Seaboard to Florida on his 30-foot sailboat the Ragged Robin. He and Dianne enjoyed many road trips through the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, as well as other travels south to the Bahamas and sailing through the Grenadine Islands. But his greatest sailing exploits took place on beautiful Georgian Bay on which he sailed right up until his joints would no longer permit it.
He loved red wine, red meat and Johnny Walker Red scotch, Manhattan’s, and martinis. Music was a constant in his life. He grew up listening to Big Band music and the musical theatre that his mother adored like Porgy and Bess, Chicago, and Annie Get Your Gun. He played Motown music on the radio in the ‘60s and eventually taught himself to play the saxophone. Big band and jazz were always his favourites and led he and Dianne to many jazz festivals and clubs.
Punctuality was an obsession of his and he relished arriving early. He would often turn up or depart family gatherings under the cover of darkness in order to surprise people in the morning or to avoid good-byes. And so, it somehow seems a little fitting that his final exit is also sooner than anyone expected.
Paul’s earthly life ended serenely and with dignity at the London University Hospital. He was surrounded by love, family, friendship, and prayer.
As all those who spent time with him will appreciate, he radiated exuberance and fun. His perfect smile was infectious. It was an absolute joy to be in his presence; a comfort to be in his prayers; and an honour to know him. We are so grateful for all his love, kindness, guidance, laughter, tenderness, conversation, and the memories.
Friends will be received at the McBeath-Dynes Funeral Home 246 Thames Street South, Ingersoll on Monday, January 9, 2023 from 6-8 pm. A Private Family Service will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Personal condolences may be posted at www.mcbeathdynes.ca
With profound sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Rev. Paul Walmsley, deeply cherished husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, friend, and minister of St. James Anglican parish in Ingersoll, Ontario.
His absence is felt most poignantly by his loving wife of 25 years Dianne Walmsley; his daughters Kimberley Roblin (Donald MacDonald) and Vanessa Matheson (Jimmy Atkinson); his stepchildren Brad Patterson (Tara Patterson), Kerri Jones, and Ashleigh Patterson (Paul Davy) and his seven grandchildren; Parker, Gordon, Farrah, Ella, Quinn, Levon and Aiyla. He is predeceased by his sisters Shelley and Jane and his parents Gordon and Onalee Walmsley of Hamilton, Ontario.
Our family was so blessed to have him as our patriarch but also as our esteemed spiritual leader. Besides performing countless baptisms and weddings for his parishioners over the years, we were privileged to have him baptize Brad, Ashleigh and Gordon and officiate the marriages of Brad to Tara, Kerri to Cody and Kimberley to Donald.
But his working life began quite a bit earlier as a delivery boy on his bicycle in Hamilton. And while still in high school he was hired as a radio host where he honed his skills as a dynamic public speaker. He loved his radio jobs and worked as a DJ in Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Huntsville, and Parry Sound. To provide for his growing family he moved on to insurance sales and then insurance adjusting becoming a partner of a successful firm. The many insurance scams that people attempted were a great source of amusement to him and he had endless hilarious stories. At age 50 he felt a calling and enrolled at the University of Ottawa to become an Anglican Minister. He has been a warm and compassionate church leader in MacGregor Bay, Thunder Bay, Manitoulin Island, Port Sydney, and Ingersoll. And after three attempts at retirement, he remained as busy, dedicated, and passionate about his ministry as ever.
Paul had many strengths but his most dominant were his sense of humour, his intellect, and his true love of humanity. His sense of adventure was grand and childlike, and he could be very mischievous. He loved woodworking, and the Hamilton Tigercats. He loved to be in nature and was an avid sailor; in his younger years once adventuring down the South Eastern Seaboard to Florida on his 30-foot sailboat the Ragged Robin. He and Dianne enjoyed many road trips through the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, as well as other travels south to the Bahamas and sailing through the Grenadine Islands. But his greatest sailing exploits took place on beautiful Georgian Bay on which he sailed right up until his joints would no longer permit it.
He loved red wine, red meat and Johnny Walker Red scotch, Manhattan’s, and martinis. Music was a constant in his life. He grew up listening to Big Band music and the musical theatre that his mother adored like Porgy and Bess, Chicago, and Annie Get Your Gun. He played Motown music on the radio in the ‘60s and eventually taught himself to play the saxophone. Big band and jazz were always his favourites and led he and Dianne to many jazz festivals and clubs.
Punctuality was an obsession of his and he relished arriving early. He would often turn up or depart family gatherings under the cover of darkness in order to surprise people in the morning or to avoid good-byes. And so, it somehow seems a little fitting that his final exit is also sooner than anyone expected.
Paul’s earthly life ended serenely and with dignity at the London University Hospital. He was surrounded by love, family, friendship, and prayer.
As all those who spent time with him will appreciate, he radiated exuberance and fun. His perfect smile was infectious. It was an absolute joy to be in his presence; a comfort to be in his prayers; and an honour to know him. We are so grateful for all his love, kindness, guidance, laughter, tenderness, conversation, and the memories.
Friends will be received at the McBeath-Dynes Funeral Home 246 Thames Street South, Ingersoll on Monday, January 9, 2023 from 6-8 pm. A Private Family Service will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Personal condolences may be posted at www.mcbeathdynes.ca