The Honourable Mr. Justice Walter S. Gonet K.C., died on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, on his 91st birthday. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary; and his son, Michael. Proud father of Laurie (Justice Michael Waby); and adored grandfather of Eric and Nicholas Gonet, Olivia and Emma Waby, and his favourite, Chocolate Lab, Sid.

Born in Saskatoon in 1934 to Mike and Maria, the family moved to Toronto a few years later and settled along College and Bathurst Streets. As the only child of immigrant parents who travelled from Poland to Canada alone, friends made up the extended family that would be present throughout his life. These friends spurred Walter on to the University of Toronto, which he attended at age 17 having skipped grades 3 and 6. After graduating in 1955, it was also these friends who jointly decided to attend Osgoode Hall. After his call to the Bar in 1959, Walter maintained an exceptionally busy trial practise at all levels of Court including the Supreme Court of Canada, for the Canadian Pacific Railway, Thompson Tooze McLean and Gonet, and later in his own practise. His skill as a litigator earned him a K.C. in 1973. After his appointment to the Bench in 1983, Walter was assigned to the Old City Hall before becoming the Regional Senior Justice of Central West and later Toronto Region. Never one to miss an opportunity to light a cigar and hit the road, Walter often volunteered to sit in different courthouses, and over the years managed to sit in every courthouse in the province. Although his beginnings in criminal law were less than auspicious, having earned a "C" in criminal law in 1956, Walter became a universally loved trial judge whose contribution to criminal justice has been remembered long after his retirement. His patience and kindness to all who appeared before him, particularly junior counsel, is often cited as one of his finest qualities. However, it is his sense of humour that will be missed most. He was a big man, with a big heart, and a big smile.

Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto (one block east of Jane Subway), on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

In memory of Walter, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Covenant House would be greatly appreciated.