WALTER JOSEPH ZAJDEL

ZAJDEL WALTER JOSEPH
Age 89, of Lake Worth, Florida, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015, due to complications from a series of strokes which had left him partially paralyzed since 2008. He was born on October 6, 1926, to John and Katherine Zajdel in Hazelwood. He attended Dormont High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On September 2, 1952, he married Geraldine Helen Vogel of Beechview. They lived in Whitehall for nearly 40 years, before retiring to Florida in 1990. In Whitehall, they were members of Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Roman Catholic Church. His wife of 63 years, Gerry, currently resides at Cove's Edge Nursing Home in Damariscotta, Maine, where she is recovering from multiple falls. In addition to his wife, Walter is survived by his son, Daniel and daughter-in-law, Laura of McMurray, PA; his daughter, Heidi Wilson, of Royal Palm Beach, FL; his daughter, Elizabeth Crampe and son-in-law, Thomas of Indian Land, SC; and James of Royal Oak, MI and his former wife, Patti of Shelby Twp., MI. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Gwendolyn Zajdel Majewski and husband Stefan, Carson Zajdel, 1st Lieutenant Byron Zajdel, Paige Wilson, Michael Wilson, Andrea Crampe Braswell and husband Shawn and Jared Zajdel and Hayley Zajdel. Walter was predeceased by four sisters, Frances Therisod, Irene Kotchey, Viola Zajdel and Helen Peduto. During World War II, Walter served as a carpenter's mate aboard U.S.S. Tranquility (AH-14), a hospital ship. He was a "plank owner," and part of the crew during the ship's commissioning in New York City. After transiting the Panama Canal, the ship was attached to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The ship began service as a base hospital at Ulithi where it was dispatched to pick up survivors from the U.S.S. Indianapolis in the closing days of the war. After the war, Walter worked in various men's clothing stores in the Pittsburgh area, including Frank & Seder, Bond Clothes and Hughes & Hatcher. He concluded his career at F.W. Kestle Associates in 1990. His family remembers Walter as a caring, loving parent and grandparent who encouraged his children to get a good education. When working, he loved traveling to Florida every summer with his family. In retirement, he loved to fish in the ocean, play checkers and enjoy the simple pleasures of family life. He was a selfless role model and loved his wife and family until the day he died. We will miss him greatly, but are confident that he now dwells in the House of the Lord. Contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project are suggested in lieu of flowers.