Lynda Crawford Abshire, 82, Died; Gifted Musician, Westporter
Lynda Crawford Abshire passed away in Westport, CT on Wednesday July 20, 2022 after a long struggle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Lynda was born in Pecos, TX on March 5, 1940, and was the only child of Jo and Vernon Crawford.
A sensitive and gifted musician, Lynda graduated from the University of North Texas in 1962, majoring in Music. She went on to earn two masters degrees in arts-related disciplines.
In addition to keyboards, Lynda was also an accomplished recorder player and classical singer, specializing in baroque recorder and chamber choral music. While living in Atlanta, Lynda sang with Robert Shaw's Atlanta Symphony Chorus. After moving to Westport, CT from Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2009, Lynda joined the Southern Connecticut Camerata, with whom she sang in many public concerts. She also performed frequently in the Connecticut area with the Dolce Ensemble.
Lynda also enjoyed performing as an actor with community musical theater groups. In 2012, she performed the role of Joanne in the Stephen Sondheim musical "Company" with the Westport Community Theater, which Lynda described as, "The role of a lifetime."
Lynda was a lifelong Democrat and the longstanding companion of Sandra Wagenfeld of Westport, CT. Lynda is survived by her sons Gary Vern Abshire and Michael Krystian Abshire, as well as by her former husband, Robert Abshire, all of Fort Worth, Texas. Lynda specifically wished to express her deep gratitude to Wendy Awa, David Lassow, Martha Scales, and Valerie Wagenfeld for the devoted care they have given her during her illness.
William Bradford Sowik, Staples Grad, Air Force Veteran, Died
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of William Bradford Sowik on July 13, 2022. He passed away peacefully after a 5 year battle with cancer.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of almost 50 years, Sherri, his sons, Jason (Samantha) and Jeremy (Olivia) and grandchildren Kingston and Noah; sister Sharene Chiaia (Louie), and his cousins Frank and Ellen, nieces and nephews and many extended family members.
Born and raised in CT, Bill spent many summers out at Cockenoe Island, graduated from Staples High School and graduated from UConn with a degree in Environmental Sciences. He was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force. He jogged for many years and enjoyed playing golf and had the highlight of hitting a hole in one in 2012. He worked for many years for the State of CT monitoring air quality as a field technician at the DEEP.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT on Saturday, August 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will always be grateful to the staff of Dr. Joseph McLaughlin at the John DeQuattro Cancer Center and Bill's hospice team as well as family and many friends who were there for us.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made online to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (www.pcf.org). If mailing, the address is 1250 Fourth Street, 3rd Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Please reference Bill's name "in memory" in either the online or sent donation. Inform them of your name and address so they can notify the family of your donation. Also, donations can be made to Visiting Nurse & Health Services of Connecticut to enable donations of medical supplies for people who need them at www.echn.org. Please write checks out to VNHSC Hospice and send to VNHSC Hospice, 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066. For complete obituary and online condolences, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com.
Trish Robinson, 64, Died; Former Westporter
Patricia (Trish) was born in Norwalk and raised in Westport, Connecticut. In 1977 she followed her parents out of Connecticut to settle in California, living in the South Bay for 44 years.
Trish will be remembered for her love of animals, nature, photography, Patriots football, NASCAR, enjoying time spent with family, and her great cooking. She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Mary Lou Breisler, and her sister Gretchen. She is survived by her partner of 26 years, Mark, siblings Joseph (Jamie) and Penny (Bruce), and daughters Jessica (Steve), Kimberly and Ashley. Trish will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
A memorial service is planned for Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Pacific Crest Cemetery 2701 182nd Street, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 @ 10:00 AM.
Lois Schine, 95, Died; Engineer, RTMer, Traveler, Westporter
Lois Gildersleeve Schine of Westport passed away at her home on July 7, 2022 surrounded by her family. Lois was born in 1927 in Brooklyn, NY to Daniel W. Gildersleeve and Florence Grimm Gildersleeve. The Gildersleeve family came to Massachusetts from England in 1635 and eventually settled in Connecticut.
Lois was a pioneer in her day. She graduated second in her class with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1947 from Pratt Institute, where she was the only woman in the Mechanical Engineering program. She was elected to Tau Beta Pi (an Honorary Engineering Society) with a special designation as an "Honorary Member" because it was a male-only fraternity at the time. In the 1960's, Tau Beta Pi finally began inducting women and Lois was retroactively named a full member in recognition of her accomplishments. While at Pratt, she was a Founding Member of the Society of Women Engineers which is now a large international organization.
After college Lois worked for General Electric in Advanced Engineering and Research. GE was one of the few companies that would hire female engineers in the 1940's and 1950's. She also taught engineering courses at Bridgeport University.
Lois met Leonard Schine, an attorney, when he hired her as a consulting engineer. In 1951, they married and had five children in rapid succession. They made their home in Westport, CT and Lois remained there for the next 70 years. While raising the children, Lois continued her education and received a Masters Degree in Administrative Engineering from New York University.
When the children were of school age, Lois went back to work as an engineering consulting. Eventually she shifted careers and became Director of Volunteer Services at Bridgeport Hospital supervising 700 volunteers. She was President of the CT Association of Directors of Volunteer Services and President of the New England Association of Volunteer Directors.
In 1988 she moved on to become Executive Director of the Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce, a post she held for sixteen years.
In addition to her professional career, Lois contributed much to community life in Westport and the surrounding area. Among her many civic activities, she was a Trustee of Sacred Heart University for 37 years, a Board Member of the Near and Far Aid Association, a member of the Westport Rotary Club, a Board Member of the Westport/Weston YMCA and she served on the Westport RTM for 20 years. She was particularly proud of her work helping to create Winslow Park and having the Planning & Zoning Committee designate it as its first "Open Space Zone".'
Lois was an intrepid traveler who visited far corners of the world. She was an avid skier and reluctantly gave up the sport at 85 years old. She also played tennis and pursued ice dancing. Her child raising philosophy can best be summed up as "survival of the fittest", as she took her five children skiing, white water rafting, helicopter skiing, sailing, and on safaris exposing them to a wide range of people, places and experiences.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses, Leslie Schine (Nils Nilsen), Daniel Schine (Patty Sullivan), Lindsay Schine (Michael Klingher), Lauren Schine and Edward Schine (Brigitta), and her ten grandchildren Caleb, Christian and Thomas Schine; Cody Nilsen; Ben, Nathan and Natalie Klingher; Tyler and Kyle Schine; Shannon May; and her beloved dog, Kirby. Lois was predeceased by her husband, Leonard Schine, her grandson, Jonathan Schine and her sister, Joyce Feigenbaum.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Leonard and Lois Schine Scholarship Fund at Sacred Heart University or The Aspetuck Valley Land Trust.
https://alumni.sacredheart.edu/leonard-schine-memorial-scholarship
https://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/capital-campaign-online-donations
A memorial service will be held in the Fall.
The Spear Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield has handled the arrangements.
Anthony “Tony” Giunta Jr., 77, Died; Westport Police Sergeant Ret., Army Veteran, Staples Class of ‘64
Anthony P. Giunta, Jr. "Tony," age 77, of Westport, Connecticut, son of Anthony P. Giunta Sr. and Maria Rose Giunta, was born March 2, 1945 and died on Saturday, July 9, 2022. He was married in 1972 to his loving wife and life partner of 49 years, Frances.
Tony was a life-long resident of Westport, graduating from Staples High School in 1964. He went on to New England College, graduating in 1969 with a BA in English. In 1975 he received his Masters of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from the University of New Haven.
Tony lived a life dedicated to his family and to the service of others. Tony loved God, his family and his country.
In the U.S. Army, he reached the rank of E-5 and left the service with an Honorable Discharge. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion.
Tony joined the Westport Police Department as a Patrolman in 1971 and retired as a Sergeant in 2006. He served as the PBA President for two years and the Community Outreach Program Chairman from (1997-2005).
In 1982 he joined the Kiwanis Club of Westport and became President in 1984. Tony started the Staples High School Kiwanis Key Club in 1985 and became its advisor through 2021.
Tony joined Boy Scouts of America in 1989 as an adult leader in Troop 39. Within scouting he held many leadership roles including Scoutmaster and Eagle Scout Coordinator and received many awards including Silver Beaver Award from the CT Yankee Council and through Masonic Scouters, the Daniel Carter Beard Award in 2011.
Tony served on the committees of the American Red Cross and the Westport-Weston YMCA.
In 1996 he was selected as an Olympic Torch Relay Runner in Westport in recognition of being a Westport Community Hero.
In 2007 he joined Temple Lodge #65 in Westport and became Worshipful Master in 2014.
As a kidney transplant recipient in 2011, Tony inherently understood the gift of life. He became a supporter of Donate Life, an organization to encourage organ donation. He cared deeply about the program.
Besides his wife, Tony is survived by his daughter Kirsten, her husband Devon Middleditch and their daughter Maria, his son David and partner Elizabeth, his sister Carol Axley and her husband Michael as well as many other close relatives.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 22 between 4pm and 8pm at the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East. A Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, July 23 at 10am at St. Luke's Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North, Westport, CT. Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation, American Heart Association or Donate Life America.
(Felicia) Phyllis Tremonte, 100, Died; VFW Women’s Auxiliary Member, Avid Reader
(Felicia) Phyllis Tremonte, died on June 12, 2022 at her home in Westport at the age of 100. Born in S. Norwalk, the daughter of the late Amedeo and Angelina (Vuoso) Borriello, she was the wife of the late Thomas L. Tremonte. She was also predeceased by her son Thomas Tremonte Jr, brother John Borriello, and sisters, Mary Carrione and Archangel Argenio.
Phyllis worked for C.B. Dolge Company for over 20 years, was a member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary, and was an avid reader. She loved to travel. A loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she enjoyed cooking, baking and taking care of the family.
She is survived by her daughter Loretta Tremonte of Westport, a daughter-in-law, Peggy Tremonte, of Wilmont NH, three cherished grandchildren, Thomas P. (Jessica) Tremonte, Julia A. (Mike) Cushman and Michael J. Tremonte, great-granddaughters Laina and Gianna Tremonte, as well as her sister, Amy Campanella, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Her Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, July 18 at 10AM at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. For directions or to send a message of condolence to her family, please visit: www.Magnerfuneralhome.com
Sandy “Girl” Bairaktaris, 13, Died; Best Dog Ever
Written by Jaime Bairaktaris, Executive Editor
Sandy “Girl” Bairaktaris, a rescued English Labrador Retriever mix, formerly of Redding, died at home in Westport Monday, July 11th, surrounded by her family and friends after a short & courageous battle with old age. She was (about) 13 years old in real time, 91 in dog-years, and forever three years old at heart.
Sandy was born in the South, given a name that didn’t fit, and shipped north by rescuers in Spring of 2009. My brothers and I saw her picture on the adoption website and convinced our mom to go “look” at her litter. “Not happening” was what we were told as we drove to the kennel; I had allergies, we were busy 11 year old triplet boys, and our dad didn’t like dogs. It wouldn’t work out.
That made it even more special as she slept on our leather car seat just an hour later as we drove home. She was plucked from the concrete floor of that dog kennel in New York - it would be the last time she would ever sleep on a surface that did not involve her universal luxuries: plush throw blankets, supportive pillows, memory foam mattresses, 4 different toys within reach, and most likely someone else’s spot in a bed. On particularly cold nights, she enjoyed a nice blanket over the top of her for good measure.
But with as much love and attention as she was given, as soon as a door was left open she would sprint into the woods like an abused kidnap victim. Even after her many lively adventures around the property, and sometimes our neighbors’, she never spent a night lost and away from home in her 13 years. Somehow we always caught up to her, or she would just come prancing into the house like the spoiled brat she was.
Sandy loved our childhood house in Redding, right on the corner of Cross Highway and Newtown Turnpike. We quickly trained her to walk on the leash with us to baseball games at the Boys & Girls Club so we could show her off to our friends. I quickly realized how important she was. No middle school boy is more popular than one who’s holding a puppy, so she was walked often - as much as possible - to every event imaginable. The best wingman ever.
Public outings became hard when she was in her teenage years and would eat every piece of food within jumping distance. Like a small fluffy shark, she would lunge with the power of 1,000 men and inhale whatever could be obtained without making as much as a sound. This was realized one night at a local concert when a small toddler holding a hamburger wandered within striking distance of our picnic blanket. Though she appeared sleeping to us, she managed to grab the burger from his hands and go right back to sleep on the blanket without a soul knowing - except the terrified toddler. (Yes, we bought him a new one. No, we did not pay for his therapy. I’m sorry, wherever you might be).
Adopting Sandy had benefits that surpassed the constant need to throw away urine-soaked carpets, to sit on couches that had crater-sized holes and missing stuffing, and the constant quote “we have to get home to let the dog out.” Even if she didn’t initially admit it, our mom enjoyed having another girl in the house. She would retrieve Sandy when we were being too “rough” with her, and spent hours with Sandy on her lap unless it was time for bed - when we so desperately attempted to crate train her. All of that hard work was cancelled after one week of us being away at sleepaway camp, when Sandy was allowed to sleep on the bed and never returned to the crate again for the rest of her life.
The best part of getting a puppy is going home to a puppy. One afternoon after school, we ran inside like every kid imagines when they come home to their new puppy - but couldn’t find her anywhere. Knowing our dog had been so special, we assumed that she must have been stolen from the house while we were out. 10 minutes later our dad pulled in the driveway, with the dog’s small ears poking up from the window of the red pickup truck.
The man who didn’t like dogs, mind you.
She moved with us to Westport two years later. She adjusted well to the coastal life and enjoyed her walks to Compo and along the shoreline. She became a fixture at Winslow Dog Park with my brother Joey, who truly claimed Sandy as the only sibling he’s only really wanted. So much so that Joey went away to university, he tried to sneak her into his housing with his roommates one semester. After several hours of whining and barking and his roommates not being able to sleep, she was driven the 2 hours back to Connecticut at two in the morning and was immediately comforted by the memory foam and soft blankets of her spot in bed that she apparently missed.
As with any childhood dog, there are so many stories in between these short moments. She helped us find friends, she helped us explore a new town with confidence, she remained a constant through parental divorce and a new school all of the battles of middle school and high school, and she was the best example of what a childhood dog should be. She came at the perfect time for three 11 year old boys.
This may all seem sweet, but there were many days early on when I couldn’t stand her: my skin swelled up if she licked me, she whined all night long during her crate training, the puppy biting was leaving us scarred, she never learned more than “sit” - and even that was a stretch some days - and food missing from the countertops got old quickly. But I’d do a lot to get just one of those sleepless nights, itchy hives, or puppy bites back just one more time.
Sandy will be remembered as an active member of the Winslow Park community, or simply as the yellow lab who smiled at you from her perch in the back of a black suburban whizzing by, and most importantly as the best dog there ever was - yes, even better than yours.
She lived out her final hours like a college kid: high as a kite while eating a gourmet hamburger, hotdog, and fries from Match Burger Lobster alongside her closest Winslow Dog Park friends and her family from the comfort of her bed on the living room floor. The solace we can find in her passing is knowing that she did so with dignity, without pain, with a belly filled with expensive food, on top of her favorite blanket, surrounded by the people who loved her. A blessing.
With thanks:
Thanks to Dr. Sally Kniffin at Redding Ridge Vet for caring for Sandy her entire life, especially on the days we’d walk Sandy to her office as middle schoolers, usually unannounced, and she’d help us with whatever stupid question we could come up with. Sally’s office and home was the only place Sandy ever slept comfortably besides our own - and thankfully - Dr. Kniffin made sure she rarely needed to. When old age caught up with Sandy a few weeks ago, Sally called every single day to check on her. Sandy and our family have never been alone in what can be hard days of raising a dog.
I also want to thank all of Sandy’s friends at Winslow Dog Park - all of whom I never met, as my brother and Sandy treasured their park time together. However most importantly to my brother’s (and Sandy’s) friend George for helping Sandy and loving Sandy just as we did. On several occasions I’d find George in our house sitting with Sandy just so she had company, something I can’t be more grateful for in these past few weeks. He also delivered her the Match burger, fries, and hot dog as her last meal - so he obviously knew her, and her expensive taste, very well - I’m sure she enjoyed every single bite.
A thank you to PawSafe Animal Rescue who rescued Sandy at just a couple of weeks old and gave three middle school boys a single way to bond while checking their website for puppies every day - and ultimately allowed us to have the best dog ever for 13 good years.
A final thanks to Final Journey veterinary services, lead by Dr. Kristen Klie, who allowed Sandy to pass in her favorite spot in our home yesterday. My family members who were home were comforted by their kind, compassionate, and caring team in what will always be one of the hardest moment of any dog owner’s life.
Sandy was my longest running photo subject while experimenting with my photography. As she grew up, my pictures did, too. She and I came a long way from selfies on our computer. Eloise Neyle Reilly, 102, Died; Staples Grad, WWII Red Cross Member
Eloise Neyle Reilly "Sis," age 102, passed on peacefully at her home surrounded by her family and caregiver on July 1, 2022.
Eloise was born March 22, 1920 in New York City, daughter of Eloise Neyle Daniels and William Henry Reilly. She was a remarkable, self-sufficient and independent woman and known for her positive outlook on life.
She was a longtime resident of Westport since 1934 and a graduate of Staples High School. One of the most important chapters in her life was during World War II when she joined the American Red Cross Club Mobile Unit, a unique service conceived by the Red Cross Commissioner to provide comfort and support to combat troops on the front lines with coffee, donuts and conversation. After the war ended, she was stationed in Germany for an additional two years during reconstruction to support the efforts of US troops. She often told stories of her remarkable friendships and experiences during her years with the Red Cross.
Eloise's strength and independence continued beyond the war when she returned home to Westport. In the late 1940's' and the 1950's she built a career in New York City that culminated in her becoming a human resource director at the advertising firm, Young and Rubicam. In the late 1960's, she left the city and the commute to start a second successful career as a real estate agent with Helen Benson Real Estate. In the 1950's, Eloise designed and worked with a local contractor to construct her home where she has lived since 1957. She was an avid gardener, a lover of nature and a longtime member of the Westport Garden Club.
One of her passions and strengths was maintaining great friendships in her community and staying connected with lifelong friends and family across the country. A wonderful result of this passion came in the early 1970's; she initiated the first of many Annual Red Cross Club Mobile reunions at her home in Westport. The reunion was a resounding success and the tradition gained momentum and continued through the early 2000's. Reunions were held at the homes of other Red Cross members and friends across the US and Europe.
We will miss her greatly, mindful that she had a long and good life filled with travel, adventure, love of family and many friends.
Eloise is survived by her nephews, Kevin Reilly and his wife Leslie (Carrere) of Newfield, NY, William Reilly and his wife Laura (Gottfried) of Enfield, NY and Peter Reilly and his wife Mary (Picard) of Rye, NH; her grandnieces and nephews Colin and his wife Lauren, Marissa and her husband Zach Beauchamp, Mia, Megan and Conor Reilly and her great-grandniece Kendall Reilly. Her brother, Donald Reilly, recently predeceased her.
A special thanks for Mary Krewsen, her personal caregiver, for her loving care and the staff of Visiting Angels of Fairfield, CT for their support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her honor can be made to The American Red Cross.
SERVICES: Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation that will be held on Wednesday, July 13th at 9:30 AM in the Chapel at Christ and Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane, Westport, CT. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 AM in the Church Sanctuary. Interment will follow at the Christ and Holy Trinity Cemetery. Visit: www.hardingfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.
Westport Neighbors Celebrate Eloise Reilly on 102nd Birthday
Margaret Murphy Pettit, 90, Died; “She was THE Good Will Ambassador!”
Margaret Murphy Pettit (Peggy, Maggie, Mom, Nanny) of Naples, FL, Westport, CT and Scituate, MA, age 90 passed away peacefully with loving family by her side.
Peggy was married to her high school sweetheart, best friend, and love of her life, Ray (Moose) Pettit for 64 years. She was born in Waterbury, CT to Margaret (Moore) and Eugene Murphy. She attended school in Waterbury, was President of her class at Waterbury Catholic High School, and attended Post College.
She was the loving and proud mother of five: Stephen (who predeceased her in 2004) (Beverly) Pettit, Chesterfield, MO, Linda (John) Barbosa, Brookfield CT, Susan (Joe) Colasurdo, Westport CT, Eileen (AnneMarie) Pettit, Naples, FL, and Kathleen Pettit, Scituate MA and Naples, FL. Also survived by eight grandchildren: Tom (Lynze) Pettit, Jennifer (Brett) Woodis, Michael (Haydee) Pettit, Meghan (Peter) Salonia, Laura (Ben) Young, Conor (Carolyn) Colasurdo, Casey (Jessica) Colasurdo, and Chase Pettit Colasurdo. Peggy was also the Great Grandmother to eleven. She leaves a sister, Evelyn (Roland) LaPerriere, a brother-in-law, Reverend Joseph Pettit, and several beloved nieces and nephews.
Peggy was active in many charitable organizations throughout the years while raising her five children. Ray's career took them to homes in New York and Connecticut. She was the Chair of the American Red Cross Motor Services of Schenectady, NY, as well as serving as Chair of the Corporate Gifts for the United Way of Schenectady. She was selected as Volunteer of The Year by the American Red Cross of Syracuse, NY. Peggy taught religious education in Syracuse, NY, and Weston, CT. She also served as Vice-Chair of the Norwalk (CT) Hospital Gift Shop for over 10 years.
Peggy and Ray were philanthropists to many charities, most notably Naples Hospital Heart Institute, Norwalk (CT) Hospital, St Mary's Hospital (Waterbury, CT), St Raphael's Hospital (New Haven, CT), ST Louis University High School, Bucknell University, and Stonehill College. She was honored to be named a Lifetime Medical Diplomat of Naples Community Hospital Healthcare System.
Her greatest joy was having her family together.......and of course making reservations! Peggy loved traveling and was fortunate to see much of the world with Ray's career taking them to many countries across the globe. She was THE Good Will Ambassador! She loved playing golf with her wonderful friends of the 9-hole ladies' group at Royal Poinciana Golf Club (Naples, FL) and The Country Club of Waterbury (CT). She also enjoyed modeling in the Royal Poinciana Annual Fashion Show and participating in many activities at the Naples Yacht Club.
Arrangements - Visitation for Mrs. Pettit will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2022, from 4 to 6 pm at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. On Monday morning her funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:15 am and proceed to St. Bridget of Sweden Parish - St. Bridget Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Entombment will follow in the Queen of Peace Mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a charity very close to her heart, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit www.fordfh.com.
Walton “Walt” Amey, 69, Died; Staples, Ithaca Grad; Musician
February 1, 1953 - July 3, 2022
The thing that made Walton "Walt" "Wallybill" Amey happiest was music. And with music, Walt made everybody else happy too.
The first time we ever saw him with his wild red hair and goatee, it was in our Hilliard dorm lobby at Ithaca College back in '71. He was playing Crosby, Stills and Nash's "Helplessly Hoping" on his acoustic guitar while singing the (hard!) middle part of the song's 3-part harmony with his naturally great baritone. His over-the-top enthusiasm was genuinely infectious. And you could tell the guy was happy. So, the other night, and although his hair and beard had turned wild gray in the ensuing 51 years, it was a joy to join him just as happily playing that very same song on his guitar... right up until just a few hours before he so tragically, unexpectedly, and suddenly died in the early hours of Sunday, July 3rd.
Now, don't get me wrong. It wasn't that that was the only song Walt knew. In fact, he knew thousands of songs. From Elvis to Dan Hicks to Leon Redbone to Steely Dan. He happily played them all his life because, well, music was his life's passion. And because he wanted to share this love with others, Walt got many reluctant music lovers to sing out ... and the unwary were likely to be cornered for an exciting lesson in music theory.
Walt was already singing in the Orphenians Choir and lead parts in Staples High School theatrical productions in his hometown of Westport, CT as a teenager. His high school band, Tribe, was better than some of the bands at Woodstock, no kidding. Then, at Ithaca College (where he majored in music/theater), Walt was playing with his high school pal, Brian Keane (who became a well-known guitarist and composer), when we first saw him in the Hilliard dorm lobby. I'm pretty sure the only reason they let me later join them in (the deservedly short-lived band) Bub Fuf & Jigs, was because I had a car with a trunk big enough to fit all the amps.
But the best was yet to come. For, despite the fact that Walt always hated the group's name (and was constantly in search of a better one), he next went on to lead Desperado, Ithaca's most beloved band. With Walt as dryly comic band leader and M.C., (he used to gleefully horrify audiences by "accidentally" dropping his "best" guitar in the middle of a soulful ballad) and the ridiculously talented Doug Robinson, Jeff Dowd and Carolee Goodgold beside him, Desperado made many people happy for a pretty long time. They even made a couple of pretty good albums: Desperado and Out on a Limb. (If you're lucky, I think you can still find them on eBay!) Walt's wedding bands played tons of happy weddings too.
Not surprisingly, like many working musicians before him, Walt liked the occasional vodka-tonic and never got out of bed before noon... unless it was to play tennis with his buddies in Greg Chapin's tennis club in Syracuse... guys who still loved Walt despite the fact that he regularly defeated them on court with his devious drop-shots, etc. (Walt was so competitive that - although his tennis record against me was 957 to 3 - it really annoyed him that I had somehow managed to win at all.)
Another thing that made Walt happy was the laugh of a good woman. And around 2008, Walt found one when I artfully reconnected him with Elizabeth Schenck, a thoroughly delightful gal we all knew back in college. She made Walt very happy... and he made Elizabeth very happy too. She turned him on to her Virginia friends (who Walt humorously called: "the naked communists") and they exuberantly embraced him too. They all happily went camping and sang at festivals and, I've heard, drank more vodka.
Walt and Elizabeth also grew to love our beach house in Atlantique, Fire Island, New York, where Walt - for some reason -- agreed to play in our dubious local band, appropriately named: The Disappointments. A rare character with a devilish Irish charm in his DNA, Walt made everyone here happy too. He came often and, sadly, this is also where he and Elizabeth were when he so suddenly left us forever to sing and play rhythm guitar for the big band in the sky. But at least he was surrounded by grand old friends playing guitars, laughing, and, yes, having the occasional cocktail. Our great friend, Wallybill, was happy right to the end. If you have to go, I'm hard-pressed to think of a better way.
Walt leaves behind his big sister, Margaret Smith, and her husband, Chuck, out in Des Moines, along with their two kids Caro (Colleen) and David (Nikki). He leaves behind his devoted Elizabeth, and her son, Emrys Juniper. And he leaves behind all his many musician pals, tennis pals, camping pals, his adorable pooches, all the couples that were fortunate enough to have had him play at their weddings, and all our loyal band of "Hilliard Hummers" from the historically under-achieving Ithaca Class of '75.
Walt always used to say: "Good is good." He was talking about music, mainly, but I think he was also really talking about life. He knew what was good when he had it and, thanks to everyone mentioned above (and many more), he had it. A lot.
And because he was so good at making everyone happy, I'm pretty sure people will happily be telling Walt stories for as long as we still have old Desperado albums for sale... which is to say, for a very long time to come.
Well, that's about it. In lieu of sending flowers, just put on some good music, find a bottle of vodka, and pour one out for Walt.
- Stephen "Schnitz" "STEVE" Schneider