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Walter M. Stafford Jr.

FUNERAL HOME

George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home

2000 Centre Street

West Roxbury, Massachusetts

Walter Stafford Obituary

STAFFORD, Walter M., Jr. Died Tuesday at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. He was 82. Mr. Stafford was born in Boston, MA, and was a lifelong resident of the city. Two years ago, he left many friends in Boston to be with his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren in New Jersey, where he touched many lives and made many new friends. His new residence at the Francis Asbury Manor gave him the opportunity to bring charm and laughter to all the residents and workers. He was a Veteran of World War II, US Navy Sea Bee, serving in the Pacific Region. Mr. Stafford was a long time employee for the U.S. Post Office in Boston, MA. While residing in Boston, he was a Communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Roslindale, MA. He was a loyal Red Sox Fan. Mr. Stafford was a friend to everyone. The way he treated people was his greatest accomplishment. He was a devoted family man, bringing joy and love to his son's family, most notably his granddaughters. He was predeceased by his brothers Peter and Edward and sisters Georgina Gaeta and Claire Pearson. Mr. Stafford is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Wally and Emma Stafford of Manasquan, his granddaughters Kathleen Albert and her husband Mitch of Winter Park, FL, Karen English and her husband Edward, Jr. of Hoboken, Susan Stafford of Rockaway and Kelly Osmond and her husband Tony of Manasquan, his siblings, Mary McHaffa of Inverness, FL, Robert Stafford of Cape Cod, Irene Burke of St. Louis, Missouri, Joan Akins of Derry, NH and Joseph Stafford of Quincy, MA. Visiting hours will be held in the F.J. HIggins Funeral Home, 4236 Washington Street, ROSLINDALE SQUARE on Saturday morning, November 8 from 8-9:30 AM. A Funeral Mass will follow in the Sacred Heart Church, Roslindale at 10. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment in Gethsemane Cemetery. Services in NJ were under the direction of the Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton St., Somerset, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Francis Asbury Manor Fellowship Fund, 3311 State Route 33, Neptune, NJ 07753. For directions and online guestbook go to: www.fjhiggins.com. F.J. Higgins Funeral Home 617-325-0455

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Published by Boston Globe on Nov. 7, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Stafford

14 Entries

Kenneth Flynn

December 3, 2008

You will always be my Uncle Sunny, I will always think of you in my thoughts. To your son my prayers and wish go out to you and your wife and daughters. Love you Uncle Sunny say Hi to mom for me ...

Colleen, Brian, Ellen, Jimmy Caffrey-Dangell Families

November 26, 2008

Dear Wally, Emma & Girls,

We are so sorry to hear of your Dad, Walters passing. From what we've read, your Dad sounds like a wonderful human being, someone who cares so deeply about others. And we know personally that Wally is very much like his Dad. We're terribly sorry we weren't able to make the wake. We learned of Walters passing after the fact. A loss like this is hard and especially at the holidays. Please know we're thinking of all of you and hope that your holidays will be blessed with family, friends and wonderful memories of your Dad, Grandpa, Uncle & Friend. I bet our Dad "Big Jim" was there to welcome Walter with a big bear hug!

Mike Casey

November 8, 2008

Mr. Stafford,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country when you served in the U.S. Naval Construction Battalions during WW II. The Seabees were some of the unsung heroes of WW II-they built airfields, advanced bases and naval anchorages. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Jeannie Stafford

November 7, 2008

Uncle Sonny,

You were such a kind and wonderful person. I will cherish all the great memories that our family made. I'm sorry that we haven't seen you in years and I regret not making that trip to NJ. You were one of the best uncles anyone could ask for! My condolences to Wally and family.

I'll miss you old Sniff!
Love,
Jeannie

Julie (Keenan) Cox

November 7, 2008

Uncle Sonny,

You were a kind, thoughtful man and you will be missed. Wally, Emma and girls - we're so sorry for your loss.

Julie, John, Johnny, Tommy, Charlie and Rachel Cox

Ronnie Stafford

November 7, 2008

Hey Uncle "Sniff",
You were one of the best, most thoughtful uncles anyone could ask for. You never forgot a birthday or an anniversary. We are going to miss the cards and phone calls. We are glad for the time we got to spend with you when you stayed with my mom while you recuperated. We love you and miss you.

Love Ronnie, Cheryl, Chelsey, and Cayla Stafford

P.S. "Broke"

Elizabeth "Liz" (McHaffa) Stroop

November 7, 2008

Hi Wally, Emma and family:
Mom and I arrived at the Cape safely about 5PM Thursday evening. We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Uncle Sonny was one my "special" uncles. We had many summer visits to remember as we toured the sites in DC and Alexandria together. The character trait that I recall is his positive attitude and kindness. He always put others before himself and sometimes even did without so that he could help meet the needs of those in the family and beyond. He always had a smile that even came through the telephone.
I pray that the Lord bless your entire family with His supernatural strength and peace that surpasses all understanding. May you experience His blanket of love and comfort during this time of loss and transition.
(Mom & I are staying at Aunt Jean's house in Wareham. I will give you a call sometime Friday.)
Lots of love,

Cheryl Ladd

November 6, 2008

Wally, Emma and family,

Uncle Sonny will be sorely missed by all of us. He made sure he never missed a birthday by either calling or sending a card. He had a great sense of humor and we are sorry that the last two years have separated us by distance. He was the best Godfather I could have had. Hopefully he is having a good reunion with my mom and dad, Gina, Peter, Claire.
Love, Cheryl, Howie and family

Marie Genitempo

November 6, 2008

Karen, I am so sorry to hear about Uncle Jake. I remember him at your wedding. You and your family are in my prayers.
Love Aunt Marie

Scott Akins

November 6, 2008

I remember Uncle Sonny fondly, always young at heart and never a day over 39. His sense of was uncanny and always lit up the room with his presence. May he rest in peace.

Katy Neylon-Azad

November 6, 2008

Grandpa Jake was an outstanding human being - one of the kindest souls that I have ever encountered. I am honored to have known him, and to have been the second-hand recipient of his famous care packages.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Stafford family at this time...and my smiles and kind memories are with Grandpa Jake in his place of peace.
-Katy, Karen's college roommate

Charity Leonhardt

November 6, 2008

Dear Stafford Family:
We are very sorry for your loss and pray for you all to have the strength to make it through this terrible loss.

We are here if you need anything.

Love your friends,
Eric & Charity

Karen English

November 6, 2008

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008

Joanne Miller(Akins)

November 6, 2008

Words can not express how deeply sorry I am for all of you. Uncle Sonny was such an amazing God father and Uncle, so giving and caring, and I know he will be sorely missed by so many! Uncle Sonny would make you smile with just the sound of his voice. His voice was filled with love. He will live in my heart forever. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

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