1937-2021
Walter “Wally” Wolfe, born in Melville, SK and a former longtime resident of Yellowknife, NT, passed away peacefully at his home in St. Albert, AB. His memory will live on through Gail, his wife of 54 years, and their three sons, Kevin (Chantal), Todd (Seung-Joo), and Brett (Theresa). His creative abilities will be remembered by his eight grandchildren, Jeremy and Alyssa (Dartmouth, NS), Katie, Kai and Sena (Austin, TX), Ian, Brendan and Drew (Yellowknife, NT).
Wally is survived by his younger brother, Wayne (Marilyn) of Kelowna, BC.
He is predeceased by his parents, Robert and Bertha (Edmonton, AB); and sisters, Doreen Tesch (Saskatoon, SK), and Eileen Seebach (Langley, BC).
Wally was fortunate to be able to turn two of his passions into careers, Aviation and Art. Through an Air Cadet Scholarship, he earned his private pilot’s license at the Edmonton Flying Club. Based out of Inuvik, NT, he was one of the early Bush Pilots in the NWT, flying over much of the Western Arctic. After attaining a Diploma of Applied Arts, at the College of Art in Calgary, he worked as Exhibit Designer for the Provincial Museum of Alberta. He then returned to the NWT as the first Curator of Exhibits at the new Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center in Yellowknife for 21 years. One of his major accomplishments during that time was opening the aviation gallery, highlighted by the Fox Moth aircraft. He found that he could combine his two passions in so many ways, through museum displays, comic and activity books, and paintings of aircraft and northern wildlife. Among his key accomplishments as an artist are the paintings “Military Twin Otter Rescue” on display at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum and of the HMCS Yellowknife, commissioned by the Canadian Armed Forces.
Wally and Gail retired to Cold Lake, AB, where they lived for 18 years before moving to St. Albert. Wally will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him, and those who did will be glad to know that his trademark sense of humor was with him until the very end.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions a Celebration of Wally’s Life will be held at a later date.
Many thanks for the empathy and personal care given by our HomeCare team, Gail, Julie and Brittany. Also the caring support of Jill Burt and our many friends at Citadel Mews East.
In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made to the Alberta Aviation Museum, 11410 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, AB, T5G 0X4.
To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com.
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Chapel
(780) 458-2222
