Gregory Walker
Gregory Walker
BIG BAY, MI – Gregory Thomas Walker, born March 14, 1932, in Melbourne, Australia, quietly passed away surrounded, loved, and supported by family on the evening of June 18th in the quietness of hospice care in Bloomington, Indiana.
Greg was born and raised in Melbourne Australia. An avid athlete and astute student, he was awarded a scholarship to attend General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, the launch of his thirty-year engineering career with General Motors. In addition to his work at GM’s Tech Center and Detroit offices, he and his family lived in Mexico City during the 1970’s where he designed engine factories in Toluca and Saltillo, Mexico. Following his retirement in 1986, Greg and Phyllis purchased their property on Squaw Beach in Big Bay, MI while owning and operating a bed and breakfast in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. They retired full-time to Big Bay, Michigan and Green Valley, Arizona in 1998.
Greg loved his family, well-designed cars, well-built houses, tennis played on grass, pickleball with friends, NFL football, fishing of any sort, walks in the desert with his dogs, and long road trips. Most of all he loved being with his wife, his children, grandchildren, and friends at the end of a warm summer day during that special time right before dinner.
Gregory Walker is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Phyllis Marie Walker; Greg’s four children, Mitch Walker (Judi); Mike Walker (Wendy); Paula Walker McDevitt (Dan); and Marty Walker (Charlotte); ten grandchildren; Caitlin Walker, Patrick and Gregory Walker, Chris and Matt Walker, Megan Sharelis (Michael) and Kelli McDevitt, Michael, Daniel and Joey Walker; one brother; Jack Walker, and two sisters; Betty Viney, and Glenda Stratton.
Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Thomas Walker and Nellie Katherine Walker; sister; Joyce Stratton.
Visitation will commence at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 24th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Big Bay, Michigan. The Funeral Mass will be held at noon in the church with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating followed by the burial in the Powell Township Cemetery. Lunch will be served in the parish hall afterward.
Out of gratitude for the loving care provided by IU Health Hospice House Bloomington, gifts can be made in memory of Gregory Walker by sending a check to IU Health Foundation P.O Box 1149, Bloomington, IN 47402. Gifts can also be directed to Bay Cliff Health Camp (http:// baycliff.org/donate/)
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Walker family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.