Walter A. Zablonski
July 2, 1921 — August 27, 2011
TEMPLETON – Walter A. ‘Slay” Zablonski, 90, of 56 Elm Street, Baldwinville, died peacefully at his residence Saturday morning, August 27 th , with his family at his side.
He was born in Winchendon on July 2, 1921, son of the late Anthony and Alexandria (Wojdak) Zablonski and had lived in Baldwinville for most of his life.
Walter worked as a machinist in the maintenance department at Baldwinville Products for 36 years until his retirement. He was a member, Past Commander (1963 and 1964) and former Chaplain of Roger P. Warfield Post 373 American Legion in Baldwinville. Until three years ago, Walter marched in local parades. He was a member of Otter River Sportsmen Club and was a Past President of Pulaski Guards of Baldwinville. He was the owner of the Elm’s Bait and Tackle in Baldwinville until retiring last winter. His hobbies included fishing, gardening and baseball, and especially spending time with his family.
During World War Two, he proudly served his country for six years in the United States Navy as a Gunners Mate First Class. He served onboard the USS Lexington (CV-16), the USS New Mexico (BB-40) and the USS Nassau (CVE-16). He was awarded the American Area Ribbon, World War Two Victory Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon. Walter was a 1939 graduate of the former Templeton High School.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, L. Myrtle (Whitney) Zablonski; his children, Walter A. Zablonski Jr of Alburg, VT, Alan M. and his wife Joyce (Vandemark) Zablonski of Sheffield, MA, Marc J. and his wife Nancy (Foley) Zablonski of Athol, and Alyce F. LaDeau and her fiancée Michael Bouthot of Templeton; his grandchildren, Wendy (LaDeau) Sawyer and her husband Scott of Fort Edward, NY, Daniel Zablonski and his girlfriend Bethany Brothers of Templeton, Kevin and his wife Sherrly (Barillas) Zablonski of Allston, MA, Kelly Zablonski and her fiancée Adam Gelinas of Acton, MA, Laurie Novoa and her husband Victor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Shane “Rowdy” LaDeau and his girlfriend Lindsey Brewer of Leominster; his sister, Stella Stavley of Ava, MO, two great grandsons, Ryan Sawyer and Logan Novoa, and two stepgrandchildren Angelique Bouthot and Amanda Mitchell. He was predeceased by his brothers, Anthony Zablonski and Leonard Zablonski and a sister Lodi Hiltunen.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 2 nd from Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Baldwinville.
Calling hours in the funeral home are Thursday, September 1 st from 6 to 8 P.M., with a Legion Ritual at 7 P.M.
Memorial donations may be made to the Scholarship Fund of Roger P. Warfield Post 373 American Legion, 3 Central Street, Baldwinville, MA 01436 or to Gardner Visiting Nursing Association Hospice Program, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440.