Walter Andrew Bilawich Walter Andrew Bilawich passed away in Hamilton, Ont. on April 8, 2011 at age 83. Walter was born to Anne Napastiuk and John Bilawich on November 23, 1927 in Hafford, Saskatchewan. After high school, Walter worked in Ontario and Saskatchewan, including as Treasurer of Uranium City and City Commissioner of Estevan, Sask. He met Pauline Dillman while working in Estevan and they married on July 1, 1961. They have three children, Paula, Sandra and John. In 1970 the family moved to Whitehorse, Yukon, where Walter held several positions with the Yukon Government, initially as Director of Local Government and later as Special Projects Officer with the Department of Renewable Resources. He retired in 1992. Walter was guided by a strong sense of community service throughout his life. While working in Saskatchewan, he was a member of the Shriners. After moving to Whitehorse, he joined the Lions Club, in which he eventually held virtually every available office up to District Governor of District 49B. He helped to establish new Lions clubs in numerous communities in Yukon and Alaska. Among the many charitable initiatives he was involved in, he was heavily involved with a Lions Club program to collect second hand eyeglasses for re-distribution to the needy in Third World countries. He helped collect and ship approximately 120,000 of pairs of eyeglasses over 21 years for those in need. Walter loved badminton and wanted to help others enjoy the sport. He helped to establish the Whitehorse Badminton Club. He had a life-long passion for geology and was an avid rock hound. Many family holidays, evenings and weekends were spent trekking through the bush, abandoned mines and rock quarries in search of interesting samples. His desire to share his love of rock hounding with others led him help establish the Whitehorse Gem & Mineral Club. Walter fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease during the last stage of his life. He and Pauline moved to Fonthill, Ontario in 2003 to be closer to family. He remained cheerful and thoughtful of others until the end. Walter is survived by his devoted and loving wife Pauline, children Paula (Salvatore Iannello), Sandra and John (Ana-Maria Marinescu) and grandchildren Connie, Pauline and Andrea. He was predeceased by brother Peter Bilawich and sister Helene Hladun. In hope for others, donations to the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated. Alzheimer's Society, 403 Ontario St., Unit 1, St. Catherines ON, L2N 1L5. For anyone wanting to leave notes or condolences for family: [email protected] or [email protected]
