Obituary of William John Whaley

William John Whaley: A Legacy of Caring for Kids in K-W

March 14, 1930 – August 21, 2026

John died peacefully at the age of 96 on the morning of August 21^st with his loving children at his side. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Diana, his parents, David and Nellie Whaley, his two sisters and their husbands, Mary Jane Harding (Paul) and Elizabeth Ann Staples (Ray). He will be greatly missed by his four children and their partners, Jim (Diana), Robert, Peter (Mabe) and Margaret (Mark), his four grandchildren and their partners, Jillian (Matt), Sadie (Dee), Cole and Sam and three great grandchildren, Annabelle, Oliver and Lennon.

Dad was born in Windsor, Ontario as his father, David, was completing his pediatric internship at the Herman Kiefer hospital in Detroit. The family moved to Kitchener where Dad attended local schools, Suddaby Public School, Victoria Public School and Kitchener Collegiate Institute. Following graduation from high school, Dad chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and began his medical training. He graduated from Queen’s medical school in 1955 and then pursued a pediatric internship in Montreal. It was during his time in Montreal that he met an attractive young nurse, Diana Sunley Boughton Smith, who was working at the Catherine Booth hospital. She taught the young doctor how to deliver babies and the rest they say is history. John and Diana were married in Montreal on June 4, 1957. For the next 62 years, she would be his real passion in life.

Following the wedding, the young couple moved to Toronto where Dad pursued a pediatric internship at Sick Kids hospital. Once his pediatric training was completed, he and Diana moved to Kitchener and Dad joined Drs. Bastedo and Friday at their Paediatric Associates Clinic at 9 Margaret Avenue.  During the 1950’s and 1960’s, the practice of pediatrics was less of a specialty and more of a family practice focused on well-baby care. In order to be attentive to parental concerns, the three pediatricians manned the clinic phones for the first hour each day so parents could speak directly to their doctor, a service well received.

In addition to his regular paediatric practice, Dad developed a special interest in and commitment to children with developmental and physical disabilities. For many years he  served as Medical Director for the Children’s Rotary Centre (now KidsAbility) and the Sunbeam Home (now Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services) where in 2004 his dedication was recognized with the opening of Whaley House, one of four group homes supported by the Sunbeam Centre.  For his work in the community, Dad was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship, the Miracle Worker from CIBC Wood Gundy and the Glen Sawyer award from the Ontario Medical Association.

From an early age Dad loved the outdoors and would reminisce about rafting the Grand River with childhood friend, Terry Hoffman, evoking the spirit of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. He relished his 7 years as a camper and counsellor at YMCA Camp Kitchikewana (Kitchi) on Beasoleil Island near Honey Harbour. His parents’ cottage on Valhalla Island provided a nature sanctuary for Dad and the entire Whaley family. You could often find Dad canoeing in the early mornings on Lake Muskoka or taking the laser out on a broad reach on a windy afternoon. And each summer his graceful running dock dive announced the beginning of summer vacation at Valhalla. This love of the outdoors was cultivated in his children and grandchildren; hiking, canoeing, camping, and fly-fishing continue to be favourite past times.

Dad was an avid skier and traversed ski hills throughout Canada, USA and Europe. While he learned to ski on the hills at Chicopee, he would go on to build a chalet at Devil’s Glen where he taught his children to ski and would later enjoy watching his grandchildren race down the hills. When his children turned 15, it became a tradition to take each of them on a coming-of-age ski trip to “conquer the mountain”. In his golden years, Dad would return to Chicopee ski club where he would make his last few runs. He set the bar high, retiring his boots and K2 skis at age 85.

In addition to child-rearing, his life with Mom included many cultural and educational pursuits. They spent years enjoying plays at the Stratford and Shaw festivals. They were long-time supporters of the K-W symphony. Dad was a lifelong learner and with Mom at his side, they were active participants in the Laurier Association for Lifelong Learning. Their foreign travels included trips to England, Scotland, Ireland, China and Italy. After a long day at the office, Dad would enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner so it was no surprise when he joined the Forest Hill Wine Club where he and physician colleagues could sample wines from around the world.

Dad was both a book reader and book collector and over his lifetime, amassed a library of nearly 4,000 titles. He was also a prolific ‘clipper’ of newspaper articles and many of his books contained clippings with interesting anecdotes about the book’s subject matter. The countless hours he spent in his library provided both solace and stimulation.

A true gentleman with an infectious smile, Dad was forever grateful to all those who provided care and support as his health declined over the last few years. Humble to the core, he was always more interested in what others had to say. Dad believed in ‘everything in moderation’ – a mantra that saw him to 96 years and a life well-lived. We will miss you Dad.

Cremation has now taken place. A private family burial will take place at a later date. There will be a Celebration of Life Reception at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo on Sunday, August 30^th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

In John’s Memory, condolences for the family or donations to Sunbeam Community and Developmental Services or KidsAbility may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.