Wally Diduck
1932 - 2004
Walter Joseph Diduck was born on October 2nd, 1932 to parents who immigrated to Canada from western Ukraine and who met each other at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS. His parents encouraged him at an early age to learn an instrument, which turned out to be a violin. He began learning at a young age of four years old.
Upon graduating from the Issac Newton High School in North End of Winnipeg, he enrolled in the Bornoff School of Music on Bannatyne Ave. In 1941, the school became part of the Manitoba Department of Education. Upon completion of the program, the school offered ongoing extended studies from the University of Toronto Royal Conservatory Music in learning theory, sight singing, literature and speech arts, which Walter enrolled and completed.
In his early career, Walter performed at school choirs and concerts, which included military events. He received his first professional offer from the CBC to play the Community Hotel in Hamilton ON, which he accepted and made the move with his wife and young daughter. After approximately 2 years, he received a second offer to perform at the Continental Hotel in Reno, NV where he played in the house band backing country stars such as Buck Owens and Roy Clark.
Another offer came from the CBC to return to Winnipeg and become a member of the television production of Saddle Songs, a popular country and western show where he settled with his wife and daughter and young son. Walter was fortunate to be perfoem with many notable musicians in his career, including Tommy Hunter, Anne Murray, Vic Seibert, Gordie Tapp, King Ganam and others who later became members of the Ukrainian Music Hall of Fame.
His versatile skill and knowledge of various types of genres of music led him to several venues throughout Canada, the United States and Mexico, where he was selected to perform in the 1968 Olympic Games. He also performed as part of the orchestra Dauphin’s Canadian National Ukrainian Festival on several locations. He was chosen to play the 1977 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton and later at the respected Catholic University of Notre Dame in Indiana at a ceremonial event. He respected his peer’s talents and in turn was respected foe his diverse talent of musical knowledge and genres of Gospel, Metis, French Canadian, Folk, Country and Western, Pop and Classical. His private record collection was vast. His family always enjoyed listening to him practice before leaving for a performance. Our father recorded albums with Ray St Germain, Randy Bachman (Brave Belt) and Ukrainian Dance Ensembles. He also performed at the Playhouse Theatre, the Winnipeg Concert Hall and at Rainbow Stage in productions of Chicago, The Wizard of Oz and The Sound of Music. One of the most cherished memories was performing as the “Fiddler on The Roof” at then the International Inn. Walter made lifelong friends with his peers. He completed his career teaming up with Mr. Kaz Siwik as a violin and accordion duo entertaining guests at company events, weddings, bar mitzvahs and charity causes at the Holy Ghost Retirement Home. Our Father truly honed His craft and often commented that the violin was the heart and soul of Angels in Heaven.
He passed away May 19th, 2004.