Obituary of Walter John Worsley

August 8, 1951 – Sherbrooke, Quebec

March 21, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Walter Worsley, beloved husband of Linda Worsley (nee Cheal), of Calgary, AB, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, after a second battle with cancer, at the age of 72 years.

Walter was born in Sherbrooke, QC, on August 8, 1951. He moved to Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, AB, in 1982, before establishing roots in Calgary, AB, in 1983.

He graduated from Alexander Galt Regional High School in Lennoxville, QC, in 1970. He married Linda in 1982 and they celebrated 41 years of marriage. Walter accomplished much throughout his life and was particularly proud of his family.

Walter started out driving vans for a moving company, drove chartered buses, logging trucks, cement trucks, hauling milk, moving semi-trucks, office furniture, pipes, valves, and everything in between. Walter did long-distance driving all throughout Canada and the United States before spending the last 23 years driving mostly in Calgary and throughout Alberta. 

From a young age, Walter enjoyed anything that had wheels and an engine, which was a passion that spanned his lifetime. Anything from cars, trucks, and tractor pulls, but his favourite was always motorcycles. Starting off as a teenager with his Norton bike, going on to have Triumph, Kawasaki, Laverda, Moto Guzzi, BMW, Ducati, and for a short time he owned one Harley Davidson. He always had at least one motorcycle fueled up, ready to go. 

Walter’s most memorable moments usually involved the open road; going down to the Eastern Townships in Quebec, watching the leaves change in the fall, Northern Ontario, Vancouver Island, and going for many rides on his motorcycle on Highwood Pass in Kananaskis, AB. He enjoyed driving truck in North and South Carolina, Naples, Florida, and Nashville, Tennessee. A nomad at heart, Walter loved taking Linda out for a drive every weekend so she could take pictures, exploring the back roads and taking the scenic way.

Walter often played music in the truck or at the house, usually playing Creedence Clearwater Revival, Clint Black, Larry Fleet, John Fogerty, Alan Jackson, and George Strait. Nothing trending currently on the radio but country music from the 80s and 90s. 

Walter will be most remembered for how dependable and hardworking he was, fiercely loyal to friends and family, and his willingness to help others. While he could talk your ear off, he was also quite a storyteller with a wicked sense of humour. What you saw was what you got with Walter. Although we did not always agree with him, he remained true to himself and his beliefs. Curious about the world around him, he was interested in people he encountered, curious about places he visited, and cared deeply about his family, friends as well as their loved ones. Known for his generosity, he provided numerous meals or a cup of coffee to those in need, treating everyone with respect and dignity. He had a special way with animals, we joked he was a “dog whisperer”. Walter adored watching Hallmark movies, enjoyed playing Solitaire and Dice, he loved a medium three cream and five Splenda Tim Horton's coffee.

Along with his loving wife, Linda, Walter is survived by his two daughters, Heather (Fraser) Lyle of Calgary, AB, and Melissa (Kyle) Cervo of Abbotsford, BC; four grandchildren, Grace (16), Hudson (13), Archie (10), and Lyla (13 months); and fur grandbabies, Clinton, Max, Larry, and Kitty. 

Walter is also survived by his three sisters, Maxine (Steven) Morin of Lennoxville, QC, Janet (Jack) Seery of Ingersol, ON, and Brenda (Jeff) Charland of Burlington, ON; mother-in-law Margaret Cheal of North Hatley, QC, sister-in-law Barbara (David) Pelletier of Cowichan Bay, BC, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. To Walter, his friends truly were family. 

Walter was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Gatane “Bobbi” Worsley; and his father-in-law George Cheal.

Honouring his request, no formal services will be held. Linda, Heather, and Melissa will be arranging an informal gathering around his birthday, in August of 2024. Details to follow.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Heather Lyle at heather.a.lyle@gmail.com.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Walter’s family here.

In living memory of Walter Worsley, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.