WALKERS ROADSIDE STAND|Coll MacLean Walker, 78, friend of many and farmer to all, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones on Monday November 13, 2023.

The youngest of four children, Coll grew up on a dairy farm in Swansea, MA, and was introduced early to the rigors of farm life. His years as a student at Northfield Mount Hermon School and The University of Rhode Island allowed him to study literature, philosophy, and spend his free time in the theater. It was his farming experience though, that served him well as a Peace Corps volunteer as he traveled to the Polynesian island of Tonga to teach Western agricultural practices.

From there Coll traveled to Australia, where he lived for a year until his father's illness drew him back to the States. His parents had purchased the Sherer property in Little Compton and started growing and selling vegetables in the self-service roadside stand. Coll chose to stay and continue what his parents had begun. He took pride in his commitment to the farm, and for over 50 years he offered the patrons of Walker's Roadside Stand bountiful harvests of locally grown produce.

Coll was a dedicated woodworker and built many of the details of his home, as well as the farm stand. He enjoyed traveling, sometimes to see friends and sometimes to explore tropical destinations with no itinerary in mind. He also took pleasure in late afternoon fishing on his stretch of beach on the Sakonnet River.

He was predeceased by his parents Frances Peckham Walker and Ian MacLean Walker as well as his siblings Ian Walker and Cynthia Martin. He is survived by his partner Fran Chaplin, brother William, sons Ian and Seth, daughter Caitlin and husband Istvan Teleki; grandchildren Karoly, Emelia, Joseph, Liliana, Margaret, Lucy, Greyson, Ignatius, John, and Felix; and several nieces and nephews.

He loved being "Grampy" to his wonderful grandchildren, riding on tractors while telling stories and teaching about farming. He always maintained an open and welcoming home, while quietly helping and supporting people in need.

There will be a memorial gathering at a time and place to be determined. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to your favorite charity.

As Coll would say, live well, pay it forward and "Get Fresh!"

Funeral arrangements by Fern Acres Funeral Home. For information and condolences please visit www.FernAcresFuneralHome.com

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

Published by Sakonnet Times (Tiverton & Little Compton) on Nov. 17, 2023.

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Willard Thomen

December 1, 2023

To a wonderful human being and classmate from Mt. Hermon who gave back to his community so tirelessly over 50 years with his iconic Walker's Roadside Stand, and a mentor to so many. He will be greatly missed.

Audrey Sprague (Mrs. Robert)

November 28, 2023

Coll's family chose to "adopt" my husband, Bob, in 1951 when he was graduated from Swansea High School. He lived at Stevens Home for Boys and was no longer able to stay after his graduation from the high school. Coll's older brother, Ian, was a friend of Bob's at Swansea High; and Mr. and Mrs. Walker invited Bob to join the family, Coll was six years old at the time.
Mrs. Walker wrote to Bob when he went into the Army that summer; she wrote to him faithfully and told him to consider the Walkers his family. After he came home from the service, he was again welcomed to their home. And he and Coll became very close "brothers" to the day Bob passed away in 2021.
I came along in 1954 as I met Bob at Bryant College. They treated me like a daughter - and our children they considered as their grandchildren. A marvelous family indeed - I will be indebted to all of them until the day I join them all in heaven. I am so saddened to kno

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