Walter Stanley “Walt” Chmiel

Walt came from humble roots. He was born in a log cabin in Berwyn, Alberta on April 13, 1940. The son of Polish immigrants, Walt had great pride in his Polish heritage. He was raised and worked on tobacco farms in Southwestern Ontario. Walt earned a degree in psychology from the University of Western Ontario. He then earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Ottawa School of Social Work. After graduating, he engaged in a lifelong career dedicated to the service of others, with a focus on child welfare and protection. His service to others took him across the country, including work in Toronto, Edmonton, London and St. John’s, Newfoundland. While in St. John’s, Walt shared his many skills working as a professor at the Memorial University School of Social Work. His career included the spectrum of providing direct service to clients as well as upper managerial positions, developing policies to address the needs of others.

He was also involved in the private sector, working for UNISYS, a global technology company, where his responsibilities included the development of photo radar within the province of Ontario. Additionally, he and his wife, Gail formed a management and consulting company that provided services to the healthcare industry within Ontario.

Walt will be remembered for his extreme kindness to all people and his generosity toward those less fortunate, as well as his devotion to his family. He was always available for his children at any time of day, even while working. He spent countless hours helping his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with emotional support, advice, and wisdom. Even through all the pain, he never lost his sense of humour.

His family was the most important thing to him. Although he was very successful in life, he didn’t care about material things — he cared about feelings and giving to others. He called his children daily and was very sad when his voice could no longer say the words anymore. He never complained, always made others happy, and was so very grateful for having lived to 85.

He had an extremely close relationship with his siblings, nieces, and nephews, and was very proud of them. He loved to travel and read. He cherished family gatherings; his favourite season was fall — he loved the trees — and he especially loved Christmas and the snow.

Walt is survived by his wife, Gail; his children Tracy, Bernadette, Raymond, and Darien (Dave); his grandchildren LaTasha, Keeshia, Joshua (Emily), Chelsea (Clayton), Tameeka, Brianne, Jonathan, Olivia, and Luca; and his great-grandchildren Aaliyah, Leandro, Mia, and Rylee. Also survived by his brother Joseph (Marjorie), brother-in-law Wayne (Donna), first wife Josie, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Walt was predeceased by his parents Jozef and Antonina, his siblings John, Chester, Gilbert and Chris, as well as nieces and nephews Stan, Christine, Jim, Michael, Gary, and Ritchie.

A service will be held at Westview Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, London on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.  All who knew and loved Walt are welcome to attend and celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to the Children’s Aid Society London and Middlesex.

Walt, you were bigger than life! We will miss you deeply.