Walter C. Bird, Sr.

OXFORD - Walter Colton Bird, Sr. died in his sleep Wednesday, July 17, 2024, after living several years with Alzheimer's Disease and cancer.

He was 82.

He leaves his loving wife of 57 years, Mary K. (Nava) Bird, who cared for him until his passing at the home they shared in Oxford, MA for 57 years.

He is also survived by three sons, Mark E. Bird of Ellsworth, ME; Walter C. Bird, Jr. of Worcester, MA.; and Joseph F. Bird and his wife Carol of Bellingham, MA; and a sister, Martha White of Tampa Bay, FLA.

In addition, he leaves five grandchildren, Leigh Ann, Colton, Katie, Jack, and Oliver; and two great-grandchildren, Sage and Rocky.

He also leaves a beloved daughter-in-law Susan Bird, widow of Michael Bird.

He is also survived by four nephews, Jeffrey, James, Clifton, and Jonathan, and his niece, Amy.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, Walter J., and Mabel Bird; a brother, Jeffrey H. Bird; and a son, Michael P. Bird.

Born Aug. 25, 1941, Walter was proud to have been raised in Brockton, MA.

He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA.

He was a Vietnam-era Navy veteran, serving stateside in Washington, D.C. He often joked that he may have been the only Navy veteran never to have set foot on a boat. He did not joke about his service, however, and those who gave their lives in service to their country. He was fiercely patriotic and taught his children to always remove their hats and stand for the National Anthem.

Walter worked for Thom McAn in Worcester, MA and Commerce Insurance in Webster, MA, until his retirement.

He was a loving father who became involved in youth activities for his children, including the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Scoutmaster. He was a past president of the Oxford Youth Basketball League.

Passionate about trains - life-sized and model - Walter was a proud and longtime member of the Worcester Model Railroaders.

He was a New England sports fan, particularly the Boston Celtics. If there was a game on, he either had it on TV or on the radio, listening to Johnny Most's gravelly-voiced broadcasts.

A soft-spoken man who enjoyed "day trips" around New England and possessed a dry, sharp sense of humor, Walter was also an avid reader and a huge fan of country/western music. His favorite musical artist was The Man in Black, Johnny Cash, whom he was excited to have seen live in concert more than once.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Worcester Model Railroaders, 14 Railroad Ave., Unit 54, Webster, MA 01570.

Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.