Grafton – Walter H. Pieleski, 89, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, Saturday, July 30, 2016.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bernice M. “Bunny” Pieleski; his daughter, Susan McGowan and her husband Patrick; his three sons, Steven Pieleski, Mark and his wife Linda, and Richard and his wife Carolyn; one sister, Florence Phelps; one brother, Chester “Chet” Pieleski; five grandchildren, Jaclyn Scanlon and her husband Tim, Kenneth Pieleski, Thomas, Lauren and Kevin McGowan; his son-in-law, Robert Brochu; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Eleonora (Kapala) Pieleski; his daughter, Barbara Brochu in 2015; and his sister, Janet Pieleski.
Walter was born June 10, 1927 in Whitinsville, raised there, graduating from Northbridge High School with the class of 1948. He attended The Rhode Island School of Design.
Walter was a World War II veteran, enlisting first in the U.S. Merchant Marines and then the U.S. Navy. He and Bunny then lived over 50 years in North Grafton, raising their family there.
He worked many years for the Whitin Machine Works Co. as a construction superintendent, traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. He then worked for the Warren (MA) Pump Co., serving as a technical writer for the USS Nautilus Nuclear Submarine Program, an accomplishment he took great pride in. Continuing to work, he ventured into industrial sales, beginning with the W.M. Steele Co. and then several other firms. His final employment was with U.S. Postal Service from the Douglas Post Office.
He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in North Grafton and a former member of the Whitinsville Golf Club.
Walter cherished life through his many enjoyments, including frequent family gatherings, vacationing, playing golf with his sons, Februaries in Florida and nearly 30 years of wonderful summers with his wife and best friend Bunny in Wells, Maine.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Michelle and Sue from Central MA Hospice for their care and love to Walter through his last illness.
Memorial donations remembering Walter may be made to Central MA Hospice, 191 Pakachoag St., Auburn, MA 01501 or to The Salvation Army Corps of choice of the donor in lieu of flowers.
Walter’s funeral will be held Saturday, Aug. 6 with family and friends gathering at 8:45 a.m. at the Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton, and then taking him to his Parish Church of St. Mary, 17 Waterville St., North Grafton, for the celebration of his funeral Mass at 10 a.m. He will be laid to rest privately at Pine Grove Cemetery in North Grafton. All are invited to join his family Friday, Aug. 5, from 5-8 p.m., at the Roney Funeral Home to offer condolences and share memories of Walter together.
To offer messages of sympathy and share memories of Walter, visit his online guestbook at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.
