Walter Halko

YORK, Maine — Walter Halko, formerly of Westford, died Sunday, Nov. 8 2009, in York, Maine where he lived for five years. He was the husband of the late Jeannette L. (Ducharme) (Bettencourt) Halko.

Born in Westford, he was the son of the late Wasil and Dora (Chweschenko) Halko. Walter grew up in Westford, attended Westford Academy and was a graduate of Northeastern University School of Pharmacy. His career as a pharmacist took him from the former Plunkett's Drug store in Dracut, to Toner's Pharmacy in Portsmouth, N.H., and to Rite Aide Pharmacy before retiring.

Following his marriage in 1973 to his wife Jeannette, he settled in Rye, N.H. where they lived happily for over 30 years, taking pleasure in many joyful moments at Wallis Sands beach with his wife.

Walter was one of five children and is survived by three sisters, Helen Buckingham of Nashua, N.H., Sophie Macaluso of Nevada, Vera Arling and her husband Robert of Westford and the late Anne Corosa of Nashua, N.H. He is also survived by five step-children, Joseph and Carol (Hantges) Bettencourt of Las Vegas, Francine Bettencourt of Kingston, N.H., Gerald and Avril (Hughes) Bettencourt of Groton, William Bettencourt of Manchester, N.H., Janice Bettencourt of Kingston, N.H.; his daughter-in-law, Elaine (Hebert) Bettencourt of Lowell, wife of the late Wayne Bettencourt; a god daughter, Elaine (Rocheleau) and her husband Valentino Curley of Effingham, N.H. He also leaves three nieces and three nephews, Barbara (Van Strien) and David Kovalchek of Westford, Steven Van Strien of Westford, Debora (Van Strien) and Steve Gaynor of Springfield, Mo., Kenneth Buckingham and William Corosa, both of Nashua, N.H. Walter will also be missed by his 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, as well as two grandnieces, one grandnephew, two great-grandnieces and nephews who lit-up Walter's life whenever they would visit.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St. (Route 121A), Plaistow, N.H. His funeral will begin on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian burial following at 10 a.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church, Newton, N.H. Burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery, Portsmouth, N.H. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Walter's memory may be made to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, or St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Plaistow, N.H.