We are saddened to hear about the loss of our former member, Walter Stachnyk, who passed away on June 18, 2026 in his 91st year. Walter was a member of the Rotary Club of Guelph for 53 years, from 1972 until late 2025 when he resigned for health reasons. He was honoured by our club with the rare designation of “Member For Life”. He leaves a legacy of a life focused on family and community, and is remembered with great fondness by his club members. Obituary Read more below.
By digging into our archives, and drawing on his personal recollections, our Club Secretary Kerry Johnson found a trove of information about Walter's history with the Rotary Club of Guelph.
Joined Nov. 17, 1972 resigned Nov. 20, 2025
November 20, 2025 Board approved Walter's designation as “Member For Life”
During his active years in Rotary, Walter served on numerous committees, chaired and or co-chaired committees, served on the Board of Directors for 3 years, July 1, 1976 - June 30, 1979 and was Club Secretary 1975-1976.
Each Year KC Tam and Walter would arrive at Riverside Park for set up of Sparkles In The Park. KC arrived with the tools and each year they strung the lights along the privacy fence along the walkway, attached displays to the fence and strung the lights around the fence around the John Galt House. And each year, Walter offered the same advice: Ray, Randy and Kerry should have succession shadows.
A very important fundraising idea that was implemented in connection with the Dream Home fundraiser was to offer payroll deductions. Through his connections with the owner of Linimar, Frank Hasenfratz, Walter arranged for optional payroll deductions. Hundreds of Linamar employees participated and at least one employee was the winner of a home.
Walter's committees over the years included:
Bingo Vice Chair (title at the time) 1987-1988, 1989-1990, 1990-1991
Corporate Coordinating 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2006-2007, 2007-2008, , 2011-2012, 2016-2016, 2017-1018,
Dream Home 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2010-2011, 2011-2012,
Easter Seals 1985-1986,
Environment 1995-1996
Fireworks 1993-1994
Fundraising Ideas 1991-1992,Chair 1992-1993, 1993-1994, 1998-1999
Futures 87 Chair 1986-1987
Gift Of Wings 1995-1996, 1998-1999
Golf Tournament 2016
Health Co-Chair 1979-1980, 1980-1981 and Chair 1981-1982, 1992-1993, 1990-1991
International Services Development 2004-2005,
Million $$$ Hole-In-One 1993-1994
Publicity 1990-1991
River Boat 1991-1992
Rural Urban 1997-1998, Vice Chair 1999-2000, Vice Chair 2000-2001, 2006-2007
Skate-A-Thon Co-Chair 1979-1980, Chair 1980-1981
Sparkles In The Park 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004
Sports Challenge 1999-2000, 2001-2002
Sunshine 1981-1982, 1982-1983
Travelogue 1986-1987
Youth 1983-1984, 1992-1993, 2001-2002
Vocational Services Vice Chair 1993-1994, Chair 1984-1985, 1985-1986
World Community Service 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999