A lifetime resident of the area, Wallace Disheau passed away peacefully at the Ottawa General Hospital on Friday, May 2, 2014, with his family by his side. He was 78.
Wallace was the fifth child of 10 born in Roxborough Township, on December 2, 1935, to Albert and Evva Disheau (nee Littlejohn).
At the young age of nine, Wallace decided he needed to learn how to drive something – anything, so he approached one of the local farmers and asked if he could work for the farmer driving a tractor. From that day a passion was born which would later trigger the genetic Disheau “need for speed” gene.
Another passion also developed from Wallace’s farming career and that was the pride one takes in producing the straightest furrows. A landscaping job wasn’t perfect until Wallace decided it was perfect.
Wallace’s passion for needing to be in motion, led him to obtaining a driver’s license at the age of 15. He loved to race the local hot rod owners, and eventually Wallace would find racing cars on a track was just as fun and a whole lot safer.
His love of tractors and cars kept him in motion, and he only knew one speed – full throttle!
Wallace was not just fast in cars but also in work ethic. He initially worked at Caldwell Linen Mill, then Fetterly’s garage in Iroquois. This is where he found his true calling and made the decision to apprentice and write his mechanics test.
By this time Wallace was working at Esso in Morrisburg for his brother Glendon, then he decided to work at Marcellus’ garage in Morrisburg,
Exciting times were happening in Wallace’s life. He had just married his sweetheart – Beverly Perry in 1961, and for the next 53 years would enjoy her company.
In 1962, Wallace obtained his mechanics license and his daughter Nancy was born, followed by Karyn two years later.
In 1968, he finally decided to venture out and become an entrepreneur, and for the next 25 years he owned and operated a successful grass cutting and snow removal business. When he finally decided to retire from grass cutting and snow removal, Wallace took up landscaping as a hobby.
Throughout his life, Wallace made it his mission to give every child he could the excitement of being in motion, well maybe more like freedom with speed.
Together, he and Bev created Wally World where children could be guaranteed excitement and fun! And of course driving something – from bicycles to lawn mowers you were guaranteed to be behind a steering wheel.
As Nancy and Karyn grew up, friends came over and as a family they enjoyed camping at Bon Echo Park every summer. Bon Echo was never the same after Wallace introduced his boat. Every kid camping there learned how to water ski thanks to Wallace.
Over the winter months snowmobiling became the motorized toy of choice. And there was always a cutter full of kids being towed around behind the old ski whiz!
When Morrisburg Old Home Week festival came around, Wallace was always part of it. He might be found riding his two-seater bicycle with one of the girls in the parade or driving that year’s parade Marshall–Max Keeping, around in his rumble seat hot rod.
Then there were the years of being a dedicated volunteer with the Morrisburg Skating Club and proud father of his daughter’s skating accomplishments.
Eventually, grandchildren arrived and Wallace got to re-live the days of childhood all over with Dustin, Kali and Dylan.
The new object of speed became go-carting. At 72, Wallace was terrorizing the dirt track and just as determined to capture the winners flag. Wallace’s last purchase was his retirement toy, a Mini Cooper Turbo Super Sport which he thoroughly enjoyed driving.
Wallace is survived by his wife Bev and his daughters Nancy Gillard (Kent Leroux) of Cornwall and Karyn Crawford (Darrin) of Ingleside.
Poppy will be sadly missed by grandchildren Dustin Gillard (Tiffany VanDodewaard), Kali Crawford (Everton Stewart) and Dylan Crawford.
He was the dear brother of Glendon (Bev) of Morrisburg, Verla Perrin of Morrisburg, Betty Smith of Massena, Warren of Toronto, Wayne (Ann) of Morrisburg, Carol (Frank) Dahl of Wasa, B.C., and Louella Smail of Brinston and the dear brother-in-law of Winston Baker of Stampville. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Wallace was predeceased by his parents Albert and Evva Disheau-Jackson, his sister Heather Baker and his brother Bert.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. Funeral service was held at Lakeshore Drive United Church, Morrisburg, on Wednesday, May 7th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating.
Inurnment followed at Iroquois Point Cemetery. Pallbearers were Dustin Gillard, Kali Crawford, Dylan Crawford and Tiffany VanDodewaard.
Donations to Lakeshore Drive United Church, Dundas County Hospice or a kind deed in Wally’s memory would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.
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