Gregory Allan Waltham

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gregory Allan Waltham on December 18, 2022 at the Innisfail Health Care Centre, Innisfail, Alberta, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer at the young age of 67 years.  He was surrounded by his wife, two daughters and dog, Bella.

Gregory ‘Greg’ was born on December 6, 1955 in Coronation, Alberta.  He was the second child of four born to John and Joyce Waltham (Wraight). Greg grew up on his parents’ farm north of Coronation. He graduated high school in 1973. After high school, Greg began working for his uncle, Ted Bullick, at EJ Bullick Construction.  Greg attended Vermilion College in 1979 for his Journeyman Carpenter.  In 1989, Greg and his cousin, Rob Bullick, incorporated Waltham & Bullick Construction.  He was well known in the community for his craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Greg met Sharon (Hovde) in 1978 and they were married in 1980. Greg and Sharon were blessed with two daughters. Jennifer in 1982 and Julene in 1985. Greg was a dedicated father who was always on the floor playing Barbies or dolls and using his creative imagination while teaching them life skills.

Greg and Sharon built their family home north of Coronation in 1989.  They resided there until 2003 when they moved into town on Norfolk Avenue. Greg and Sharon’s dreams were to retire in Penhold, Alberta, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Greg loved the outdoors.  He also had a passion for travelling, which was a dream for retirement. He was fortunate to travel through southeast Asia in 2006 for six weeks with Sharon and the girls.  He enjoyed many other trips through the U.S, Mexico, and other hot destinations. Greg could often be found enjoying a good coffee with a sweet treat while watching home improvement shows or Nascar all the while petting his beloved Dog, Bella.  Or you could find him enjoying a cold beer or Rum and Coke while dead heading plants on the deck in the evening sun.

His pride and joy were his grandchildren, Brynn, Kai, Kate, and Brooke.  His eyes lit up whenever he spoke of them.  He always took the opportunity for imaginative play with the kids.  Whether it was getting his hair curled, nails painted, giving moustache tickles on the feet, or sitting for a story. What he enjoyed the most was spending time at the lake, watching and catching the kids endlessly jumping off the dock, he never hesitated when they would say, “Again, Papa, again!”.

Every year Greg looked forward to the camping trip him and Sharon would take the grandchildren on. In preparation for retirement, they recently sold their holiday trailer and in turn, Greg purchased a teepee with 18 ft poles that him and the kids could sleep in.  He had a heart just like a kid.

Greg will be lovingly remembered by his wife of forty-two years, Sharon; and his daughters, Jennifer (Brett) Borgland and Julene (Scott) Roen. He will also be deeply missed by his precious grandchildren, Brynn and Kai Borgland and Kate and Brooke Roen. Greg also leaves to mourn his mother and stepfather, Joyce and Tom Wraight; his brother, Gary (Rose) Waltham; his sisters, Lynn (Keith) Barnes and Lesa (Ed) Plehnert; and his stepsister, Margaret (Daniel) Le Franc; along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Greg was predeceased by his father, John Hamilton Waltham in 1980.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 28, 2022 at the Coronation Community Centre at 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Greg’s family would like to recognize the Innisfail Health Care Centre’s Doctors, Nurses, HCA and Physiotherapists who took such good care of him in his final days. As well as S.T.A.R.S, the staff at the Coronation Hospital and Care Centre and the University of Alberta Hospital.  Thank you to our friends and family for the outpouring of love and support over the past few months. We are truly grateful. If desired, Memorial Donations may be made directly to S.T.A.R.S at www.stars.ca or the Coronation Cemetery via P.O. Box 219, Coronation, Alberta, T0C 1C0.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com and www.coronationfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006; and Coronation Funeral Home, Coronation, Alberta. Phone: 403.578.2928.