It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Stewart Veck (Wifty), peacefully on December 17, 2022 at the age of 90, after a short fight against cancer. He now can join the love of his life Viola up in heaven. He is survived by sons Bill Veck (Kim Cronin), Mike Veck (Paula Pharand), and daughters Terry Veck Williams and Kathy Veck. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Cameron Veck (Sara), Colleen Veck, Calah Veck, Lorilei Steele (Tyler), Craig Ead II (Melissa) and 3 great-grandchildren Vienna Milville, Amara Veck and Leon Ead.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, on Saturday, January 21, 2023, from 1 to 4. Visitation will begin at 1PM, a small service, interment and a reception to follow. For those that were not able to attend the service in person, you may watch the service at the following link : Livestreaming of Wifty's Service
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation would be appreciated.
Dad was always so active in sports from his youth days on the outdoor arenas up to his junior days with the Inkerman Rockets. After marrying our Mom we moved to Arlington VA. as a civilian member of DND at the Canadian Embassy in Washington. He transferred to External Affairs while in Washington and led to staying there for 14 years! He played on the Embassy softball team, the Canucks, as well as coaching baseball for many years. Even coached to a State Championship. His next posting was to London England, followed by postings to NATO in Belgium, another posting to London and temporary duties in Copenhagen, Denmark and The Hague, Netherlands. On these postings he made many lifelong friends.
Dad love playing golf, bowling (duckpin, 10 pin and 5 pin) and later in life fishing on the Ottawa River with Mike. Had great trips to Myrtle Beach in the motorhome he bought and played a lot of mini golf!
May you go forth and rest in peace. You are deeply loved and will be deeply missed!!
Stories and funny times:
One of Dads favourite stories is one Mom would tell. We were umpiring a game and Mom was in the stands. Dad made a call at first, and some lady yells “you blind bastard” Mom turns and says “Hey that’s my husband, and he’s not blind”! Dad laughed at that every time.
Another time at a dinner party with friends, the hostess said to pass their plates. Dad pulls out his dentures and offers them to her.
Dad saw a lot in life. We attended the funeral procession of JFK, went to see John Glenn after he came home from his space flight, saw mans first walk on the moon, he met the Queen and Prince Phillip twice. Experienced the creation of TV, then the transition from Black and white to colour, VHS, DVDs, Cell phones, social media, all created in his lifetime. He wanted to reach 90, and he did!
There was also a time when Grandpa Veck told the kids not to swim in the canal. Dad’s brother took a kayak down and went for a ride. The kayak tipped over and his brother was trapped. Dad dove in and swam over to help free him. When they got back home his brother snuck in the back and Dad got punished for swimming in the canal!
Another time, playing hockey against one of their rival teams, one guy did a dirty hit and broke Dad’s leg. The next game Dad was standing along the boards. As that player skated by, Dad cracked him in the head with his crutch! Started a riot and the cops had to come and break it up. Funny part was, he hobbles away on his crutches and the cops don’t even stop him.
Then there was the time he had a broken arm. He was out with his slingshot and accidently hit a cop in the back of the head. He ran and the cop came to the house. His dad said it couldn’t be dad, he has a broken arm. After the cop left dad being honest when asked said “yes I did”. Grandpa asked him how. Dad showed grandpa how he would dip the elbow of the cast in hot water and he could move it! That is why his left arm wasn’t straight!
Digital Guestbook
Sonia Yearwood Chapman
Susan Dawson
My condolences to Mike and the rest of the family. Mr Veck was a lovely man, and I enjoyed all the years I knew him (and Vi, and Mike). I will miss him. Please take care of yourselves. May you enjoy your lives and live as long as he did!
My deepest condolences to Mike (LB) and the Veck Family. Stew was one of the kindest, sweetest person I have ever met. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to help me. When I first moved to Orleans, he and Mike drop by to introduce themselves. I felt so safe in my new home, on my own, knowing I had such kind neighbours. Over the years, Stew and I had fun talking, sitting in chairs in his garage, chatting about all sorts and nothing at all. We would even go for Wendy’s or a drive to show me somewhere new in Orleans.
When I moved to the US, I dearly missed spending time with him. Stew’s witty banter and great stories of his foreign affairs work/family adventures kept me in stitches. Every time I returned for a visit, I had to see Stew, my Orleans Dad, before leaving - even if I had to take 3 buses and walk.
Stew meant so much to me. I valued our special friendship. Whenever we parted, I said “I will see you later!” He would respond “Is that a promise or a threat?” I always said “A promise!” I look forward to keeping that promise. I know you are in heaven with Vi by your side again. He will remain in my heart through 22 years of fond memories. I’m deeply saddened at his passing - he is my “Orleans Dad” forever. Rest In Peace my dear, Stew. Love always. ?