DINGWELL, Wallie Ernest
Age 74, of Prince Edward Island, Canada, passed away peacefully in his Tennessee home the morning of March 17, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born October 22, 1949, Wallie grew up on the Dingwell family farm in the idyllic countryside of Marie, PEI exploring the woods, building tree houses, and caring for any orphaned critters he found along the way. He gained his appreciation for craftsmanship and woodworking from his father, Cuyler, his love of animals was gifted by his caring mother, Lottie. Wallie’s witty sense of humour was one of many reasons he maintained connections with so many of his childhood cousins and friends. Many hours were spent reminiscing about growing up ice skating on the river, swimming in the bay, riding bikes on the red dirt road, pilfering corn from a neighbour’s fields and roasting them on a fire with friends. The high school years were filled with local dances and playing in a band with his buddies. His passion for motorcycles and cars began early when he bought his first motorbike from a neighbor when he was barely a teen. He hauled the parts home in a box. He put it back together himself without the aid of a manual and rode it for years.
After his formative years on the small Canadian island, Wallie felt the call of adventure. He began his lifelong journey of travel at the young age of 21 when he bought a one-way ticket to Melbourne, Australia. His Aussie experience turned out to be just the beginning. Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Tahiti, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Aruba, New York City, Florida, Colorado and Tennessee all were prominent in Wallie’s journey. You could always count on a good story of mischief from each place. Due to Wallie’s numerous pursuits, he made beautiful and lasting friendships all over the world.
Wallie studied accounting at Holland College in Charlottetown. Several years later he completed his Certified Management Accountant degree in Ontario. Throughout his career spanning eight countries and four continents, Wallie held many Finance Director positions at various organizations which funded his passions for good music, delicious food, sporty cars, motorcycles, and a wellequipped and meticulously organized workshop. Even though young Wallie craved the big adventure away from PEI, his deep Canadian roots called him back home in retirement. He enjoyed focusing on being a loving husband and Grampie; walking his dog, Cocoa; woodworking; gardening; and the occasional maritime ceilidh.
Wallie is proceeded in death by his parents, Cuyler and Lottie Dingwell; his two brothers, Erroll and Eldon Dingwell; mother-in-law, Bonnie Metcalf; and a dog he loved like no other, Cocoa.
Wallie is survived by his soulmate and wife, Angela Metcalf Dingwell; his beloved sister, Betty (Barry) MacDonald; treasured step-children, Michael DeLorenzo and Veronica (John) Castleberry; cherished grandchildren, Luke and Emma Grace Castleberry; respected father-in-law, Alvin Metcalf; nieces, Amanda (Jeff) Smith, Jennifer (Peter) Clark, Melissa (Joe) Waldron; and nephew, Richard (Jonelle) MacDonald; and much-loved cousins and dear Island friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Wallie at his home in Afton, TN from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20th. There will be a celebration of Wallie’s life later this summer on the north shore of PEI, Canada. As he was a man of the world, so will be his remains. His ashes will be offered by his wife and dear friends over the mountain paths of Colorado, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and off the coastline of PEI.
The family of Wallie Dingwell would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their care, specifically his primary nurse, “sweet little Rachel”, who doggedly pursued and achieved a pain-free passing for her dear Wallie.
Wallie will never be forgotten but forever remembered and missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.