Condolences
Sorry for your loss I talked to Dennis about 3 days before his passing wasn’t thinking he was going to pass a few days later he sounded good never told me he was sick. He was my backup goalie in Edmonton and a great friend when we where growing up in Greisbach
My sincere condolences, I met Dennis when I started with TransAlta almost 30 years ago as a young engineer! I was fortunate to work with him then and again at ALTALINK a number of years later. He was a big influence on me with his integrity and focus on people and an example I strive to emulate everyday!
Vaughn Bend
Hi Jackie. I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband Dennis. Teresa passed the news on to me. Our sincere condolences to you and your family. Donna Flotre
I had the pleasure of working with Dennis on a major project in the Alberta power industry. I was struck by Dennis' friendliness and wisdom. I was very sad to learn of his death.
I am terribly saddened by Dennis' passing. I had the real pleasure of working with him while at TransAlta, and have nothing but great memories of his approachable, gentle soul.
My deepest condolences.
-Jorge O. Aviles
My deepest condolences to Dennis’ family and friends. I worked with Dennis when we were both at AltaLink. He was a true mentor he always took the time to explain things. Above all he was a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. Again to his family I am so sorry for your loss
Jackie, Barry, Steven, and Edna,
How very sorry I was to hear of the sudden passing of your beloved husband, father, and son-in-law.
Please know that although words cannot lessen your loss, may it help you to know that others share
your sorrow. May it comfort you to know that we also feel the sadness that fills your hearts, and trust that
the Lord will shine his face upon you and give you peace. Jo-Ann Neubert
Sending you love and light to hold you and your family in this time of great loss.
Sharon Moon
Jackie and family... our sincere condolences to you... we offer our thoughts to you. We remember our many outings with you both and the many years of working closely with you Jackie at Telus. Sending our love and wishes for your recovery... take care and please be healthy...
-George & Sandy Parkson
We're very sorry to hear about Dennis' passing. Dennis was an inspiring and kind leader who brought together a great team of people to create the AltaLink stakeholder engagement team over a decade ago. We all learned a great deal on how to be a team working together on a common goal through Dennis' leadership. Since then the group has gone on to different roles, companies and provinces, but continue to connect over the years because of the people that Dennis brought together.
When we heard about the news, we reconnected and shared in the sadness that Dennis was gone but never forgotten for what he shared with us into our futures.
Leanne Kubiseski and the AltaLink Stakeholder Engagement team that Dennis brought together over a decade ago.
Jackie (and Barry and Steven and Ranu), I struggle to find the words to tell you how much Dennis meant to me and my family and how deeply sorry I am for your loss. Dennis was a more than a mentor or a friend to me. He was like the big brother I don't have. He stood beside me, in his calm "everything will work out, just drink the coffee" way, through thick and thin. Dennis was there for me, and my kids, when things were really tough for us. I will never forget him for the unwavering support that he gave us, whether it was coffee and a ride to work, or taking the kids to the rifle/archery range, or loaning me a super techy life jacket for a kayaking trip, or just giving me regular advice on life.
Dennis propped up more people than we will ever be able to count. And he did it without asking for a single thing in return. It was who he was. He will be missed by so many people in so many ways. He reminded me that life works out, you just have to keep working on it. He was lucky to have a wonderful family and to do the things that he most loved to do.
Dennis will always be in the hearts of the people he met and helped and will be an inspiration for us all to live a kinder, gentler life.
Indra Maharaj
Jackie and Family,
I extend my deepest condolences to you at this very difficult time. I had the honour of working with Dennis during my tenure at Altalink; as others have mentioned, he was so very competent and effective in his role, and always such a pleasure to engage with. While I hadn’t kept in touch with him recently, I was extremely saddened to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Diane Chiste
Dear Jackie, and family. Heart felt condolences for your loss may all the memories you hold dear, provide some comfort through these difficult times. I have many fond memories myself of my Cousin Dennis, each of those opportunities we had together were memorable he had a great sense of humor and a smile that lit up a room. Sending you love Cindy and Steve Tomnuk and Family.
Deepest condolences to Dennis's family. I knew Dennis professionally at AltaLink and then at TransAlta. His bright smile, friendly and upbeat attitude brought joy to the work place. He will be missed.
Morgan Tam
Jackie, my heart goes out to you and the boys. Dennis and I worked together from my start at TransAlta in the mid 80s and continued through to AltaLink, where as many have noted he was truly a leader we all wanted to model. I also had the pleasure of spending time with Dennis outside of work as a team mate - he was one heck of a second baseman and always fun to be with. It was Dawn Farrell who called to let me know the news and while the discussion started on how shocking the news was, it soon moved to how much we both admired Dennis and sought to embrace his model for life and family. Dennis did not see life as separate compartments of work, family, sports, hobbies but as one whole. My best memory of that was when Dennis represented us at a PNWER meeting in Alaska. Dennis and I scheduled a call on the afternoon of his second day to discuss a key business issue. During the conversation there was a distinction high pitched sound in the background. Finally I asked, “Dennis is that the sound of a fishing reel?” Yes, it was, he answered rather matter-of-factly and with a laugh. That was Dennis, a role model for all of us.
From both Deb and I, our thoughts and prayers are with Jackie, the boys and his entire family.
Jackie and family, please accept my deepest condolences about Dennis. I have been blessed in knowing Dennis for my career at TransAlta and AltaLink. He was fiercely proud of you Jackie, Steven and Barry. Here’s to Dennis, may his spirit fill our hearts and give us strength.
Jackie and Family. As you search for meaning and share memories, know that there are many Healers who are holding space and sending prayers for comfort and peace. May the Light and love of God surround you all and may you find peace in the coming days.
-Verna Besselink
(High River, Alberta)
My condolences go out to the family and friends of Dennis. I met Dennis on my first day at TransAlta in 1989. He was my first "boss" at TransAlta and we soon became friends. He lead by example and was always willing and able to provide mentorship to myself and others in an stunningly gentle manner. Over the years our friendship grew and we spend countless hours riding motorcycles together and living in the moment. I had the pleasure of working with Dennis on some major projects at AltaLink while at the same time weaving in our adventures on two wheels. The world has lost an amazing, caring, passionate and selfless person. You will be missed Dennis.
Dear Jackie, Steven and Barry. We are heart broken to hear about Dennis. Over the past couple of days we have spoke of our memories about Dennis, and always a little smile followed. Algonquin college days, the best wedding MC, hunting companion and so many memories from when the "twins" were born. We send each of you our condolences and hugs.
Nancy and Mike Gibson
Ottawa, ON
Ross and I are so very sorry to hear this sad news. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Jane and Ross Welsh
I was deeply saddened to hear of Dennis' untimely passing. Even though I hadn't seen him for some time, I have some very happy memories of grade school fun with Debbie and Dennis, seeing them in Ottawa, and joining the family on their vacation to Nova Scotia. He was a kind and fun-loving young man, and even way back then was a fisherman at heart.
My sincere condolences to Jackie, the boys and the family. He will be well remembered.
I am saddened to lose a friend and colleague like Dennis. I am thankful for the privilege of working closely with Dennis over many years. His leadership, ability to forge positive relationships, calmness under pressure, wisdom, and deep insights made him highly respected by all. I have many fond memories of our fishing adventures, one day on pigeon lake seeing Dennis hooking walleye every few minutes when no other boats were getting a bite! He was both student and teacher of everything he enjoyed in the great outdoors. We will all miss him! Janet and I send our deepest condolences to Jackie, Barry, Steven, and the entire family.
My deepest condolences to Dennis' family on his sudden and totally unexpected passing. I read the email from TARA this morning and had difficulty believing Dennis was gone.
We worked together at TransAlta quite a long time ago and I met Dennis from time to time when I was doing consulting work for AltaLink in more recent years.
I always enjoyed chatting with Dennis and appreciated his honest point of view.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Carl Orde
I was shocked to hear of Dennis' passing. It is because of Mr. Dennis Walters that I am where I am today! He was one of the few that took a chance on me. I was so young and no experience at the time. He hired me at TransAlta to cover for a maternity leave. I remember the interview like it was yesterday and it has been over 25 years. He encouraged me to apply for full time positions as they came available and finally I got one of the roles. Through out the years he was always there with his smile on his face and his positive attitude. We always has great conversations about his motorcycle trips. Once Dennis retired I lost track of him. I never had the pleasure of meeting his family, but I send my deepest sympathy to them during this time of loss...
Kim
Jackie, we offer our heartfelt condolences to you and family. Know we are with you in support at this sad time. No doubt Dennis will be sorely missed, but will live on as you share your memories of him and of all the good times you had together. Hugs and gentle healing prayers, dear friend.
I met Dennis in the 90's working at TransAlta and we enjoyed sharing stories about the great outdoors. He was always up for a great laugh and though I have not seen him for many years he certainly left his mark on me. Great guy! and my condolences to the family for your loss. Dennis, all the best to you on your next journey.
We were so shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Dennis. He will truly be missed as our awesome neighbour of over 30+ years. Over those years we had the pleasure of experiencing his passion and knowledge of boats, fishing and outdoor sports. It was always a great learning experience when chatting with him. We can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now, but want you to know that we are just a phone call or a few steps away.
Garry and Fran
Jackie, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the sudden and way too early passing of Dennis. I had the pleasure of working with Dennis for numerous years at AltaLink, through some quite challenging and contentious projects. Dennis had such a caring and down to earth way of dealing with landowners, those he worked with, and anyone for that matter, his true spirit so connected with the outdoors around him. Dennis was one of those rare people that you instantly trusted and respected, you knew he only came from one place, a selfless view of what was the right thing to do. He touched many people in our industry, mentoring us through his unwavering principles, making us envious of all his outdoor toys and the stories he had playing with them. He will be truly missed, but definitely not forgotten, as he will be around in those coaching memories for many of us, and no doubt watching from his fishing boat, coaching as always on what the selfless right path should be. Dennis, enjoy the ride on your next journey, catch some big fish along the way, and pop in when you think any of us need some good advice!
It is with a heavy heart that I heard of Dennis passing. I had the great pleasure of working with a wonderful and compassionate person. I could not have been more lucky to have had the opportunity to work for such an amazing Boss. Dennis always lived to the fullest, travel, fishing & his family.
As others have said, Dennis was humble, giving and o so kind to all that came in contact with him. Dennis may you rest in peace knowing you have changed so many people you have met.
My condolence to Jackie & family, we are all thinking of you in this difficult time.
-Allison Arbic
Dear Jackie, Barry, Steven and family.
We are saddened and shocked to hear of Dennis’s sudden passing.
Dennis was an incredible person with all of his amazing accomplishments and adventures and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences that we hope will help you through this difficult time.
Peter & Cathy, Ashton Ont.
I couldn’t have said it better Hudson and Darin and the others who were lucky enough to work with or for Dennis. Or, like me, pretended to be his boss while he worked his magic, humoured his “boss” and helped finesse another bunch of much-needed, but highly contentious projects into reality.
Rare is the person so transparent, so forthright; so quietly-confident and happy-in-their-own-skin; so in love with their family. Dennis always struck me thus. And, as often as not, that “Dennis Factor” caused me to pause and wonder if he was on to something. Seems he was.
Be it humbled bosses, his enriched and lucky colleagues, or all those folks he sat down with and just plain listened to—and knew when to challenge—we’re all better for it.
Thanks to J and the Boys for sharing him. He was one of the good ones and while you surely know this from far better sources than me, I add my voice to the chorus affirming how very, very proud he was of you all and of the family you are.
Leigh
Jackie and family,
I am truly sorry for your loss, I have known Dennis and counted him as a friend and mentor for many years. He was one of those few people that made the rest of us stop and pause on a regular basis in stunned silence while we try to figure out this amazing guys is and how he manages to live life so well while simultaneously keeping everything in order. While we all admired his incredible strength and wisdom, it was the incredible gift he had for understanding complex and contentious situations and being able to bring everyone involved together in a positive way that I most admired. He really was a great person and I feel fortunate to have known him to have benefited from his advice and friendship. While I feel more than a little upset at losing him so soon, I know he's bringing similar happiness wherever he is now.
Jackie and Family,
My sincerest condolences on Dennis’ passing. He was an inspiration to all that had the good fortune to know him, or to have worked around him. He worked hard and played harder, squeezing every moment of joy out of life. No matter what he achieved at work, it was always clear that Family was his top priority. Whether it was fishing, motorcycling, general love of the outdoors, or cart racing when the boys were younger…Dennis did it the way he lived “all in” !
We have all been fortunate to have Dennis cross our lives and it is unfortunate he had to go far too soon.
Darin Watson
Jackie,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear husband, Dennis. He was a good one & left before his time was up.
Sharing your sadness. Sincere condolences to you & your family.
Love,
Dani
My condolences to you all for Dennis passing on. Dennis and I worked on many projects and in the same departments for much of our careers at TransAlta and AltaLink. He was one of the nicest and most competent guys I had the pleasure to work with. It was clear however that work was secondary to his love of fishing and things outdoors.
One memory that demonstrates the type of man Dennis was: He disagreed with a decision that was going to result in some staff not getting pay he strongly believed was their due. He countered that he would take a cut in order for those staff to get their due, and this influenced a reversal of that decision. Those he helped that week will never know.
It is sad as well that the restrictions we are under prevent the gathering of the many many friends and acquaintances that would have attended a celebration of his life. We will be there in spirit, and on line.
Mark Johns
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