Carmen Walter Wallace  

Born December 27, 1938 – October 5, 2025 

Carmen was born in Merced, California to an American mother and Canadian father. His family soon moved back to Canada when he was around the age of three, and Carmen resided in Canada for the rest of his life, becoming a Canadian citizen. His life journey in the early years was hard and grueling, and his family ranched in the northern parts of British Columbia near William’s Lake and later Bonanza. In grade one, he was enrolled in the Catholic Residential School system in the northern community and was one of two of the Caucasian children in the school, learning the Cree language on the playground. At the age of around 10, he started his very first business to help provide for his family; a popcorn stand, outside of a bar in William’s Lake. Carmen dabbled in various careers, from hairdressing, pipeline, sales, taxi and bus driving. However, his love for trains had him spend 20 years working on the railroad as a telegraph operator where he connected with nature, deep in the Rocky Mountains. Carmen was always up for an adventure, and he became a small engine private pilot in his early 40’s. After earning a business management certificate, he returned to his original path of entrepreneurship and started Wallace’s Septic Tank Service Ltd in 1976. He ran this company for 35 years until he sold assets to another Wallace family, and the company still runs to this day in the Red Deer area. Carmen was a relentless social advocate, caring passionately about the community and the future. He participated as a councillor in the Town of Blackfalds for two sessions in the late 80’s and 90’s and continued to advocate for social justice through writing letters to government and participating in social action groups. Brother Carmen is a life-time member of The Grande Lodge of Alberta, Britannia #18, and the Red Deer Shrine Club-Al Azhar Shriners. When he wasn’t attending meetings, social action groups, and volunteering, he would be going to the gym and practicing martial arts up until the age of 80. As a self-taught man he was an avid leaner, he was always reading about politics, religion, history, business, self-help or health. In his final years, he took pleasure in the simple things in life, feeding the birds, yard work and of course a good cup of coffee and a burger. Carmen leaves behind many family members such as his wife Phyllis, daughter Carmella (Hasina), sons’ Tom (Donna), Craig (Pheip), Darren (Pam), brother Dale, and numerous stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild. He is predeceased by his parents Harry and Florence, and his sister Velma. Carmen’s feisty, quick-witted, go-getter personality will be dearly missed. Carmen was buried immediately, on October 6th following the customs of a Jewish burial with close family and friends present. In lieu of flowers, please send condolences to Eventide Funeral Home or by donating to the Shriner’s Hospital’s for Children https://abshriners.com/pay-online/ 

• Date : 2025-10-05
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home