Walter S. Sawa

1945 - 2019

Walter S. Sawa obituary, 1945-2019, Chicopee, MA

BORN

1945

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, East Street

69 East St

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Walter Sawa Obituary

Walter “Wadz” S. Sawa, 73, of Chicopee, was called safely home and passed onto eternal life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family on January 6, 2019. He was born on May 30, 1945 in Springfield and was the beloved son of the late Walter S. and Stella J. (Kudla) Sawa. Walt was raised in Chicopee and graduated from Chicopee High School. He was a communicant of St. Anne Parish where he was part of the Pre-Cana team for 14 years. He served his country in the US Navy and attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. Walt was employed at Standard Tile, now known as Best Tile as a store and warehouse manager. He played and coached basketball and softball for many years in the Chicopee area and most recently for the Relics Senior Softball League and the Chicopee Boy’s Club. Walt was an avid New York Yankees and Miami Dolphins fan. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of fifty one years, Susan M. (Talbot) Sawa; two loving sons, Steven Sawa and his wife, De of North Carolina and Alan Sawa and his wife, Jacquie of Longmeadow; four cherished grandchildren, Ella Sawa, Zachary Sawa, Owen Sawa and Samuel Sawa, whom he adored; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Jeanne Talbot of South Hadley; three brothers-in-law, David Talbot and his wife, Kathy of West Springfield, Dennis Talbot and his wife, Marilyn of Florida and Daniel Talbot and his wife, Deborah of South Hadley. He also leaves many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Sawa and Talbot families. Walt’s funeral will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 from the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, 69 East St. in Chicopee Falls at 10 am, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Anne Church, 30 College St. in Chicopee at 11 am. Burial with military honors will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Speaks, 1 East 33rd St., New York, NY, 10016. Visit: cierpialmemorialfuneralhomes.com

Published by The Republican from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9, 2019.
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Steve, Alan and Sue,

I am very sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of how nice a person your father/husband was. Also a great baseball coach and teacher of the game.

Jay Benoit
Davie, Fl

February 20, 2019

So sorry to hear about your loss. I first met Walter a couple of years ago, as one of the "old" guys that play basketball at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club. He was a great guy and in the short time I knew him, I am honored to call him a friend.

Nathan Rosenthal

February 4, 2019

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss Steve and family....

Steve, your name came up in such a positive and random way the day before I heard of your Dad's passing, so I felt the need to reach out...

jeffrey guiel

January 15, 2019

Sue,
So sorry for your loss.
My prayers are with you and your family. Walter was a true gentleman and good guy.
May your happy memories of your life together keep you strong through this most difficult time.
Anna Cosentini

January 12, 2019

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

January 12, 2019

Blessing to Susan and the Sawa family!

Father Bruce

January 12, 2019

Father Bruce

January 11, 2019

I am very saddened to hear about Walt's passing. I have many wonderful childhood memories of Walt while we were growing up in the same neighborhood In Chicopee. My condolences and prayers to all of the family.

Larry Garwacki

January 10, 2019

My condolences to your family. May God comfort your hearts...2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17

January 10, 2019

Good guy and and a good all-around player. Won't be the same not seeing him on the field in Ludlow. My condolences to his family. RIP Walt.

Dock Ericksberg

January 10, 2019

Dear Sue, Steve and Alan. My sincere condolences for the loss of Walt. He was a true competitor and I can still remember when he caught the final out in center field when we won the championship for Larry's. He was a true gentleman and will be missed greatly.

Ray Peloquin

January 9, 2019

Walter was a true gentleman and it was honor to have known him for the past few years through the Relics softball. He will be greatly missed by everyone who ever knew him. My condolences to you entire family. Walter Stewart

January 9, 2019

Dear Sue, Steve, Alan, Mr. and Mrs. Talbot and families,

We are saddened to hear about Walt's passing. May God stand by all of you during this difficult time. Rest in peace Walt your beautiful smile and gentle manner will be missed.

Sue and Bob Poulin

January 9, 2019

Sue,
I was so saddened to hear this news. I adored Walter. We worked together for 19 years at Boston Tile/Best Tile. He was always so much fun especially at the company outings. He was an amazing man and I know his spirit and love will live on in all of us.
Love and Peace to you and your family.
Love Sandy MacLeod

January 9, 2019

a loved one

January 9, 2019

Dear Sue,

We were so saddened to hear of Walt's passing. We were blessed to have known him and have the two of you as such strong witnesses for the sacrament of marriage. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Love,
Tom and Theresa Bernard

Tom & Theresa Bernard

January 9, 2019

Mrs. Sawa, Steve and Alan, Our deepest condolences to you and your families on Mr. Sawa's passing. Such fond memories of him from AJAC's and Comp sports. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Shawn & Heather Malone

January 8, 2019

Steven Schwartz

January 8, 2019

Dearest Sue and Family,

We are so very sorry for your loss. We were blessed to share in friendship and faith and are grateful for his presence in our life. Please know that we are with you in thought and prayer.

With love,
Alan and Kathy Robbins

January 8, 2019

I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of this gentle wonderful man. God bless you Sue and all your family. You are in my prayers.

Stella Curtin

January 8, 2019

I am deeply sorry for you loss . I had the pleasure of working with Walter for many years at Standard Tile,
and had the pleasure of attending his retirement party. I have many fond memories going back and forth on his Love for the Yankees and Dolphins . We would tease each other to who would win more games each season The Red Sox or Yankees or Dolphins or Patriots. You will be sorely missed my friend
Pap

John Pappas

January 8, 2019

Sue, Steve & Alan, So sorry for your loss. You will be in our prayers.

Chuck & Terry Malone

January 8, 2019

Chuck & Terry Malone

January 8, 2019

Sue, Steve and Alan

I worked with Walt for over 30 years. I have many fond memories on Belmont Avenue. Walt was a very dedicated hard worker. My prayers are with you.

Cyndy Picknally

January 8, 2019

We will miss you on the field Walt, a real gentleman, family man and life long softball enthusiast. To you Susan and your family our deepest condolences.

Tania and Frank Vancini

Frank and Tania Vancini

January 8, 2019

Sue,
We are so sorry for your loss. We are blessed that our married lives crossed paths by God's grace. You taught us so much about marriage, especially that it takes three: husband, wife & God. We thank God for the gift of Walt. Our thoughts and prayers are with you & your family during this very difficult time.
Love & Prayers,

Michelle, Greg, Tor & Zach Canavan

January 8, 2019

So sorry about walt, we play a lot softball togather with the Relic in Ludlow .

John& Maryann Collins

January 8, 2019

Dear Sawa families,
So sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers to you all.

John Griffin
Chicopee Comp Class of 1986

John Griffin

January 8, 2019

Dear Sue, Steve, Ella and Family, we are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Stacey, Mike, Sedona and Nolan Wikar

January 8, 2019

Class guy all the way. Great competitor and wit. Played the games the way they should be played at all times. My condolences to Susan, Steve and the entire Sawa family.
Pierre Beaulieu

Pierre Beaulieu

January 8, 2019

Dear Sue, Steve and Alan,
Walter was so patient with me when I started working for Standard Tile in the home office on Belmont Avenue. I always wanted to hang around in the warehouse because it was much more fun than bookkeeping! He would let me dust all of the fixture shelves so I could have a reason to be there. Such fond memories.

Donna Napolitan Benito
Broad Brook, Ct

January 8, 2019

Condolences to Walt's family. Walt was a great man and always was positive and friendly. I met Walt at Best Tile functions and like him, I managed a Best Tile location. Walt always gave me great advice and I truly respected and loved the man. Rest in Peace my dear friend. Heaven just became sol much brighter...

Timothy Powers

January 8, 2019

Saddened by Walt's death. His passion for basketball was amazing as he participated in Chicopee Boys Club basketball scrimmages at Lambert Lavoie and Chicopee High School years after those his age had given it up. Walter Krzeminski, Easthampton

walter krzeminski

January 7, 2019

Dear Sue, Steve, Alan and family,
There are no words to say how heart broken we are today. Walter was my mentor, my friend and like a brother to me. We shared so much together over the years, so many good times and some not so good times which he helped me weather. He was a mans man, a family man and a great sportsman! . I had so much respect for Walt. He will be sorely missed. I hope he knew how beloved he was and by how many.
With deepest condolences, Gary & Karen, Natalie & Andrew.

Karen Tesini

January 7, 2019

Sorry to hear about Walt, he was a good man Ive known for over 50 years, He was a great father and husband, his long time pal Don

Donald Napolitan

January 7, 2019

My time with Walt was limited to the last 3 years of his time with Best Tile. I wish I had more and am grateful for the years I knew Walt. In a 2011 e-mail to me, Walt said of his retirement from Best Tile, "People are asking me for the last couple of weeks if I'm counting the days and truthfully I'm not. Retirement for me is just a word and I have no idea whats its like. Like anything you have to make it work for you. People ask me what I will miss the most and trust me it is the people and nothing else. The rest of it earned me a living and put me in the position I'm in today with the ability to retire. So I feel very blessed and truly mean it." God Bless, Walt.

Kathleen Monast

January 7, 2019

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Calling hours

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, East Street

69 East St, Chicopee, MA 01020

Jan

11

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Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, East Street

69 East St, Chicopee, MA 01020

Jan

11

Liturgy

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St. Anne’s Church

30 College St, Chicopee, MA

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Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, East Street

69 East St, Chicopee, MA 01020

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