Walter Zielonko

ZIELONKO, Walter – The family of Dr. Walter Zielonko is sad to announce his passing into the company of his Lord, peacefully, at his home, on April 19, 2023 at the age of 91.

Walter was born in Poland in 1931, and his parents brought the family to Canada in May 1939. They settled near Gimley, Manitoba, moving to Toronto when Walter was ready for High School. He graduated from Parkdale Collegiate, then University of Western Ontario Medical School, and did an internship at the Hamilton General Hospital before specializing in Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. After two years at a clinic in Cobourg, Ontario, he was transferred to Owen Sound, and then came to work at Homewood Sanitarium in Guelph in 1964. After 22 years at the Homewood, he opened a private practice in Guelph, retiring only in 2019.

Over the years he was active in First Baptist Church, serving one term as Chairman of the Deacons Board. He was President of the Wellington County Medical Society for one term, President of the Christian Medical Dental Society of Canada, the Canadian delegate to the U.S. Christian Medical Society for many years, and delegate to the International Congress of Christian Physicians. Also, a member of the Guelph Rotary Club for twenty years.

An avid tennis player, he gradually eased into golf as well, played bridge and loved travelling. Walter was an avid sailor as well.

Walter leaves his loving wife of 62 years, Marlene (Mann), as well as three sons- David (LeaAnne), Brian (Rosa) and Alan, and four grandchildren, Katya, Hannah, Caelan, and Noah.  He is survived by his brother John (Eunice), predeceased by his older sister Zena (Zielonko) Kozodoy.

A visitation will be held Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Wall Custance Funeral Home,206 Norfolk St., Guelph. A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Guelph General Hospital would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Walter Zielonko in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.