Obituary of Walter John Valentan

Walter John Valentan June 23, 1929 – February 28, 2017 It is with great sadness that we announce his peaceful passing on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at the age of 87. Born in Graz, Austria, beloved husband for 20 years of Trudi. Loving Opi to Elizabeth, Payton, Sophie (parents John and Christina Rater), Sheaffer, Everest (mother Brigitte Liss) and Johannah “Hannah” (parents Martin Liss and Lisa Pick). Walter graduated from the Technical Institute in Graz in 1947 where he was an avid rock climber and downhill skier and pursued both sports with passion until he emigrated to Canada in 1951. Settling in Galt, Ontario, he worked for 19 years at Sunar Industry Ltd. Processing to Plant Engineer. In 1955 Walter was persuaded by a coworker to join a bowling league at Waterloo Lanes. By the late 1950’s, he began advertising and promoting the struggling youth program in his spare time. His first official volunteer duty in the bowling world was as Membership Chairman of the newly formed Kitchener – Waterloo Bowlers’ Association. Using his mild-mannered approach and personal charm, he could get people to join a bowling league and ultimately join an association, taking membership from 0 to 4600 by 1969. By 1966 Walter was elected Vice President and not long after ascended to the Association’s Presidency, earning the President of the Year award in 1969. During this period he was elected to the Board of the Ontario Bowling Congress, on which he served for 4 years. In 1969, Walter wrote the book, “How to Conduct a Successful Bowling Banquet” that is still in print and distribution across Canada today. After volunteering for more than 10 years, Walter finally left Sunar in 1972 to work at OBC as Director. With many successes under his belt, he left OBC in 1973 to become the Executive Director of Bowling Proprietors Association of Ontario. Walter was instrumental in changing the liquor laws in Ontario enabling the introduction of cocktail and dining lounges in Ontario bowling centers. He developed various tournaments to support the YBC program. He was the cement between the bowlers, the proprietors and the Sponsors (Blue Jays, Pepsi Cola, Jerry Lewis) that enabled youth and adult bowlers to travel to bowling centers throughout Canada. He amalgamated, merged, joined and partnered people from all walks of life, to promote the game of bowling until his retirement in 2009. In 1991, Walter was inducted into the 5 Pin Hall of Fame and in 2005 was inducted into the 10 Pin Hall of Fame. He lived a life so rich and full of love for his family and bowling. His memory will be celebrated by all he touched. He did not want people to send flowers or feel obliged to make donations to any charities. Instead, he wanted everyone to have a nice dinner with loved ones and of course a bottle of wine. You will be greatly missed.