CHELMSFORD - Walter J. Irwin, 76, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, died Saturday, September 4th, at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, after an extended illness. He was the beloved husband of Helen F. (Ryder) Irwin, with whom he would have celebrated his 52nd wedding anniversary on September 13th.
He was born in Lubec, ME on November 7, 1933, and was the son of the late Walter H. and Elsie (Peacock) Irwin.
He received his education in Lubec schools and was a graduate of Lubec High School. He then went on to earn his Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of Maine. He earned his Masters Plus 30 from Boston College through a National Science Foundation Grant.
Prior to his retirement, Walter was employed for 34 years as a math teacher at Lexington High School.
He was a member of the Central Baptist Church in Chelmsford and the Masonic Lodge, Washington # 37 in Lubec.
Walter believed that the most important thing in life was family and his greatest joy was spending time with them.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children and seven grandchildren, David and his wife Ann, and their children, Sam, Ben, and Max, all of Nashua, NH; Dawna and her husband Steve, and their son Ted, all of Anchorage, Alaska; and Debbie and her husband Mike, and their children Ryan, Michaela, and Reese, all of Valley Forge, PA; two sisters, Jacquelyn and her husband Phil of East Brunswick, NJ and Linda and her husband Mark of Bangor, ME; and several nieces and nephews.
His visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 until 11 AM at the Central Baptist Church, 9 Academy St., Chelmsford, followed by his Funeral Service at 11 AM at the church. Interment in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.