"The end of life has its own nature, also worth our attention. I don’t say this without reckoning in the sorrow, the worry, the many diminishments. But surely it is then that a person’s character shines or glooms." ~Mary Oliver

Walt's last days were filled with glorious beauty and awareness. I truly believe that he began to see with new eyes as he prepared to leave this world. I have never seen his eyes shine so bright or his will rise up so fiercely as he struggled to walk with dignity into the final hours of his life on earth.

As my prayer become more attentive and inward
I had less and less to say.
I finally became completely silent.
I started to listen
– which is even further removed from speaking.
I first thought that praying entailed speaking.
I then learnt that praying is hearing,
not merely being silent.
This is how it is.
To pray does not mean to listen to oneself speaking,
Prayer involves becoming silent,
And being silent,
And waiting until God is heard.

—Søren Kierkegaard

Walt's love of jazz music equalled his passion for art. Wherever we went the chords of jazz drifted with us. So often I would enter a room and see Walt with his eyes closed and lost in the eloquent emotions of a particular jazz riff. It was a joy to see him, the music seemed to emanate from his pores when he was listening. We went to hear many live jazz bands at different venues in Montreal and NYC. Although Walt was far more knowledgeable about the genre then I was, we both shared a great love for listening to it. This particular song, "Peace Piece" by Bill Evans was an old favorite that will forever hold Walt within its notes for me. As you play it, close your eyes an feel the music in your body as Walt did.

Walt hiked the Adirondack mountains extensively in his 20's while attending St Lawrence University. We were both fortunate enough to have life bring him full circle back to this beloved landscape of precambrian rock and boreal forests. In particular the Summer and Fall of 2014 Walt and I were able to spend a great deal of time hiking and paddling in the wondrous, roaring silence of this unique wilderness preserve. Walt was unstoppable and our last big climb was Cascade Mountain which we climbed on a sunny October day in 2014. Walt's determination and love of the Adirondacks allowed him to slowly but surely make the ascent of over 4,000 feet We sat on a warm rock, ate our lunch and marveled at the beauty surrounding us. We both felt a flood of gratitude for the gift of being alive and being able to share this experience. It is a memory that I will never forget.

Walt and I made many new friends and acquaintences in the Adirondacks over the past few summers and he will be dearly missed there. I know how much gratitude he felt for these gracious and kind friends, in particular, Marsha and Tom who played an integral role in making Walt's last years on earth very special for him. Thank-you to all who gave of their hearts and shared the Adirondacks with us. it was beautiful to watch him blossom in that magical mountain air.

Walt and I travelled nearly 10,000 miles over two months criss-crossing across the continent. This is story with many, many chapters and too lengthy to include here. However, I am in the process of putting together a book of images and tales (which Walt had wanted to do) for all to see and share in this experience. Some of the stories and images from the trip can be found on my blog. The trip began in Boston with the wedding of Walt's youngest daughter Martha and we crossed Canada to the wedding of my oldest daughter Amy in Kamloops, BC.

Walt was in his element and there was not a day that went by where we didn't see something of incredible beauty. We visited many friends, old and new with whom Walt delighted in conversing with and sharing in their sense of place wherever they lived. It was the trip of a life time and the memories of this epic adventure will help to sustain me and many others as we learn to live without Walt in our life.

It is rare that Walt was not engaged with a book if not several books at a time. His love of reading was a life long one nurtured by his mother in his early years.  A passion for books opened up many a line of inquiry or coincided with the recurring themes in his artworks.

As eloquent as always Walt writes of the inner turmoil surrounding his diagnosis of stage 4 cancer with courage and honesty. His ability to use words and connect with the humanity in us all never failed to leave me in complete awe.

Savage Uncertainties on the Road Home

After receiving a BFA from St.Lawrence University in 1980, Walt moved to New York City and embarked on a life-long career in the fine and decorative arts. While cultivating the high level of technical mastery required to design and fabricate high-end commission based furniture for the past 30 years, he continued to pursue an equally rigorous line of inquiry grounded in 20th century abstract expressionist art. Saw blades and their tooth patterns figure prominently in recent work, as do the profiles of chairs he’s built, evoking a layered, poetic bridge between form and content. The net effect is an impression of deep stability at the heart of intense movement. 
Walt based his art studio in Montreal, QC during the last five years of his life where he became an integral part of the Montreal arts community during this time.

Here is an interview with Walt for Wrting Without Paper done in two parts by Maureen Doallas in 2013 where he speaks about his art practice in his own words:

Part One

Part Two