Walter (Wally) Lazar

It is with great sadness that the Lazar family announces the passing of Walter Lazar (Lazor) of Edmonton, Alberta at the age of 89 years. Wally was predeceased by his wife, Ruby in 2017. Wally is survived by his children, Eldon (Joan) of De Winton, Holly Lazar-Cross (Dean) of Edmonton and Colin (Marney) of Edmonton. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and his sisters Ellen Shulinsky of Winnipeg and Bertha Stogrin of Calgary.

Wally was born in Melville, Saskatchewan to homesteading parents Michael and Ahafia Lazor, the second youngest of 12 children. His mother died when he was only three years old. This tragedy led Wally to become strongly independent and self-sufficient at a young age; qualities that stayed with him throughout his life. While growing up, music pervaded the family home resulting in Wally’s love of music. Through his dedicated effort, he taught himself the accordion and then embarked on a career in music. In the 1950s and 1960s he was prominent on the Edmonton music scene. Wally played in many Western swing and jazz dance bands such as The Chuck Barber Quartet, The Lakeview Quintet, The Bob McDonald Orchestra, and with Happy Russell and his Prairie Ramblers. He also performed countless times on live television and radio. Wally was well known as a virtuoso jazz accordionist and a highly regarded arranger of jazz and Western swing music. Other musicians with whom he played, remember that his arrangements were in a class by themselves.

Wally and Ruby met at one of his gigs at the Lakeview Pavilion in South Cooking Lake and were married in 1959. In the 1960s, while raising their three children, Wally and Ruby started a music teaching business where Wally taught accordion and guitar and Ruby taught accordion. Over the next 25 years, Wally and Ruby shared their love of music with many hundreds of students. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, Wally became a fixture at many local restaurants entertaining diners by playing a variety of ethnic music from his enormous repertoire from all over the world.

Wally will be sorely missed by his family and friends. The Lazar family wishes to thank the compassionate staff at Grandview Capital Care for their dedication to Wally’s well-being over the past year.

At Wally’s request, there will not be a funeral service. Family and friends are encouraged to honour Wally’s life and memory in their own personal way. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University Hospital Foundation. https://givetouhf.ca/