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Walter O'Donoghue
July 18, 1932 - August 12, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">Walter Brian O’Donoghue, QC <br> <br>July 18, 1932 - Dublin, Ireland <br>August 12, 2016 - Calgary, Alberta <br> <br>Walter Brian O’Donoghue beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend passed away on August 12, 2016 at the age of 84 years. Walter was a remarkable man and lived life to the fullest. Walter was born to Patrick and Violet O’Donoghue (a well-known Irish family) raised in Dublin, Ireland, the second youngest of nine children. He attended Castleknock College following his five older brothers and later graduated with a law degree from the University College Dublin in 1955. <br> <br>Walter met the love of his life, Shirley, while both were attending university in Ireland. They were married in 1956, and shortly thereafter, they started their incredible adventure by immigrating to Canada, starting in Montreal, then Vancouver before finally settling in Calgary in 1957. Walter and Shirley built an amazing life together in Calgary (as well as Canmore, AB and Borrego Springs, CA), raising their four children and creating a rich and enduring network of life-long friends. <br> <br>To his family and close friends he was also known affectionately as “Wally” or “Wally baby” and to his children the “reasonable man”. Wally was fun, quick witted, always the last to leave the party and an easy going person whose special gift was his way with people. The reasonable man was the supportive and encouraging father who approached his children's challenges with common sense and always allowed us to debate any point of view - often evidenced by the lively and spirited O’Donoghue family dinners which included many friends over the years. Along with Shirley, Walter guided and inspired his children through his integrity, generosity, discipline, humility and dedication to his family, friends and community. He was loved, adored and deeply respected by his wife, children, grandchildren and dear friends. <br> <br>Walter was a partner in two law firms throughout his career in Calgary - Burnett Duckworth Palmer & O’Donoghue (later BDP) and Bennett Jones. Walter acted for a wide range of clients in the energy, telecommunications, airline and financial sectors during an extraordinarily expansive phase in Alberta’s business history and had a premier corporate legal practice. He served on many Boards for both private and public companies including Telus, Canadian Oil Sands, Gulf Canada, Gibson Energy, Gentry Resources, Morgan Hydrocarbons and Chevron Canada. Walter’s creative mind and proactive problem solving abilities, along with his inclusive nature, good humour, and gregarious personality provided a level of client service, personal relationships and law firm leadership that remain legendary. <br> <br>Walter was a true sportsman and a competitive athlete and encouraged his children to pursue life-long athletic endeavours (his way of keeping us out of trouble, which only partially succeeded). He captained both his high school and university rugby teams and was an Alberta provincial doubles tennis champion. His last athletic pursuit was golf, which he took up at 55 years of age and pursued it with great passion - he was “a practicing machine” enjoying long hours at the driving range and putting green. <br> <br>Walter is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Shirley; four children, Paul (Tammi), Leslie (Hugh), Mark (Krista) and Denise (Bruno); and nine grandchildren, Connor, Brendan, Kyleigh, Erin, Dylan, Cole, Alexis, Amelié and Jack. Walter is also survived by his siblings Brenda, Peggy and Jerry and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Sean, Padraig, Donal, Hugh and Philomena. <br> <br>Walter touched many people and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. The family would like to thank the caregivers at StayWell Manor for the care of Walter and the dedicated team of nurses at the Rockyview General Hospital, as well as Dr. Tam who helped our family in the last days of his life. We are grateful and want to thank the many friends who have been there for our family over the last few years. <br> <br>A Prayer Service will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish (5340 4th Street SW Calgary, AB) on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. <br><br>In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. www.alzaheimercalcary.ca <br> <br> <br> <br></div>