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WALTER WALDRON Obituary

WALDRON, Rev. Walter J. Retired pastor of Saint Patrick's Church, Roxbury, died December 25, 2021. He was 81 years old. Born in Boston to Walter J. and Frances P. (Carroll) Waldron, he was raised in Milton and graduated from Boston College High School in 1957. He then entered Saint John's Seminary and was chosen for the Pontifical North American College in Rome. After his ordination to the priesthood at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome in 1964, he returned to the U.S. and was assigned to St. Margaret's Church in Beverly, MA, where he served for two years. He subsequently was assigned to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End, where he served until 1984, when he was assigned to Saint Patrick's Church in Roxbury. Less than one year later, in January 1985, he was named pastor of Saint Patrick's Church. He retired in 2017 after 32 years serving the Roxbury community. Fr. Waldron traveled across the country to preside over weddings, baptisms and First Communions for his extended family and cousins. A voracious reader and unmatched conversationalist, Fr. Waldron devoured crossword puzzles and mastered the toughest clues on Jeopardy! His annual Christmas poems to friends and family showcased his quick wit. He loved the beach and enjoyed bringing together all his priest friends and the Roxbury community at his annual 'Right On' Party in Ocean Bluff. His lifelong commitment to ministering to those in need extended far beyond the walls of his parish. Fr. Waldron was a co-founder of the Pine Street Inn, what is now the largest homeless services provider in New England. He also helped start the South End Community Health Center and established the local charity, People in Need. In addition to serving as former president of the Boston Association of Urban Priests, Fr. Waldron was active with the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI), Casa Esperanza, Compass School, and many programs assisting youth on the rise, youth in trouble and families in difficulty. Fr. Waldron was recognized for his good works, with accolades including: the Honorable John Forbes Perkins Award in 1977 for distinguished achievement in the field of youth social services, the Home Town Hero 'Man of the Year' Award from the city of Boston in 1985, and the Robert Leo Ruffin Award in 2007 for his work serving the Cape Verdean community in his parish. Most of all, he was a priest, nurtured by the communities he served. Preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Francis X. Waldron (student of Cardinal Cushing's St. Coletta School in Braintree); and his grandnephew, Benedict Priesbe. Survived by his brother, John P. Waldron of Dedham; and his sisters, Marie T. Fallon (Robert) of Barrington, IL and Denise Parody (Tom) of Naples, FL. Beloved uncle of Michelle Sullivan (Michael) of Glenview, IL, Monique Hubbard (Frank) of Marshfield, MA, Cheryl Priesbe (Matthew) of Glenview, IL, and Robert D. Fallon, Jr. (Carlye) of Glenview, IL. He is also survived by his loving grandnieces, Megan and Lauren Sullivan; his fond grandnephews, Ryan Sullivan, Conor Fallon and Michael Priesbe, all of Glenview, IL; many dear cousins, and his brother priests of the Archdiocese of Boston. Fr. Waldron will lie-in-state at Saint Patrick's Church, 400 Dudley Street, Roxbury, Tuesday, January 4 from 4 - 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Patrick's Church on Wednesday, January 5 at 11am. The celebrant will be His Eminence Cardinal Seán O'Malley; concelebrant will be The Most Reverent Bishop William Murphy and many brother priests. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fr. Waldron's memory to St. Patrick's Church, 10 Magazine Street, Roxbury MA 02119. To send the Waldron family a condolence message, please visit www.dolanfuneral.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 31, 2021 to Jan. 3, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for WALTER WALDRON

Not sure what to say?





Chris Bagley

December 26, 2024

RIP Fr. Waldron Thank You

Prince Charles Alexander

December 25, 2024

Sleep in peace!

Prince Charles Alexander

December 25, 2022

Thank you Father Waldron for "being there" when I needed you the most!

Leo and Valerie McCaffrey

February 14, 2022

Dear Marie, it came as a shock today 2/14/22 to learn of Father's death on Christmas Day. I tried to track him down last Christmas but the Pastor couldn´t give me any information. I´ll write more soon. We are so very sorry.

Sister Charlotte Ann Ciommo,CSJ

January 21, 2022

My sincere condolences to the Waldron Family for their loss.
To many of us who knew, Father Walter Waldron,
we saw him as a priest for others. TO him it made no difference...you race, color, creed, age, gender, educational background or socio economic status, as he accepted, valued and treated each person with dignity and respect.
He prayed, he listened, he reflected, he acted. His spiritual guide was the life and works of Jesus Christ. By consciously living his life in this manner, he was able to embrace everyday life situations with courage and compassion, conviction and commitment, never losing hope in a better tomorrow.
We thank him for a life well-lived in loving service to God and Country.
You will be missed.
Peace be with you, my friend.

Sr. Mary Gerard Ndagano,IHMM

January 5, 2022

Fr. Waldron, a pastor, great servant of the Lord, and friend to many. I was fortunate to work with him at St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's in Roxbury as a Pastoral Associate. He was a great pastor. You will be missed so much. May your soul rest in peace. Amen!

Lorenzo Quintin Scott

January 5, 2022

RIH Father. The Scott Fair Appreciated you in every aspect. "God Blesses His Children and We Are His Children ". Love You Father. Hug Peggy (Mother) and Bryan (Brother) for me. Rest enjoy heaven, Quintin.

Caesar Brown

January 4, 2022

I knew him since I was a kid he did a lot for my family and my community Cathedral projects he was a good man he loved everybody I'm going to miss him

Lorenzo Quintin Scott

January 4, 2022

He´s a great good servant of the Lord. Thanks Father Waldron for everything you you done for my soul well being and my family. Peggy my Mother and I Quintin loved and love you. REST IN HEAVEN AMEN.

MAUREEN JOHNSON

January 4, 2022

Fr. Waldron was a caring priest, my parents Arthur & Virginia Johnson were parishioners at St. Patrick's Church.They renewed their 25th Wedding Vows with Fr. Waldron. When I called Fr. Waldron to administer the Last Rites for both parents he arrived swiftly. St. Patrick Church parishioners will surly miss him. RIP

Darryl Smith

January 4, 2022

All I can say is that you had such an influence on my life and helped mold me in becoming a man . As you allowed me to call you Wally , I´m not sure you really heard me though hahaha. I knew you always had my best interest and encouraged me to be a good human being. Condolences and love to your family and continue to counsel us from heaven.

Prince Charles Alexander

January 4, 2022

Thank you for caring about so many, for so long Father Waldron. You are loved and you will be missed. Thank you for caring about me. You made a difference in my life. May you sleep in eternal peace!

Adelina Alves

January 3, 2022

Fond memories, thanks again for all you have contributed to the city´s most vulnerable. Bless your soul.

Pat Higgins

January 3, 2022

Fr. Waldron, a wonderful Pastor, Boss and friend to all. I was very fortunate to have been your secretary for 28 years! You will be missed but not forgotten.
Peace & Love

Wanda Aviles, Isabel Aviles, Marcos Baez Jr., Dulce Matos

January 3, 2022

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results

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Memorial Events
for WALTER WALDRON

Jan

4

Lying in State

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Saint Patrick's Church

400 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA

Jan

5

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 a.m.

Saint Patrick's Church

400 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA

Funeral services provided by:

Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - Dorchester Lower Mills

1140 Washington Street, Dorchester Center, MA 02124

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