Walter J. Sigda

Walter J. Sigda died in the early hours of Friday, October 6, 2023 at his Norwood home after a long life filled with family, hard work, and the outdoors. He was a strong-minded, practical, and clear-sighted man with a surprising mix of strength and gentleness while caring for his wife, family, gardens, church, and community. Walter spent his last night surrounded by his family, regaling them with his childhood adventures during the Depression and World War II, his wartime travels in the Navy, and, perhaps dearest to him, stories about meeting his wife-to-be and their years together. Born Wladyslaw Jan Sigda to Regina Krasza and Jan Sigda on February 13, 1932 in Chester, Pennsylvania, Walter was the youngest of seven children. He began his career as a machinist after graduating from Chester High School in 1950. Walter enlisted in the United States Navy in 1954 and served on the USS McCard during the Korean Conflict until 1956. He married Helen Marie Sigda, nèe Cadigan, of Medford, Massachusetts on August 2, 1958 and together they raised their eight children, traveled, and helped raise the next two generations until Helen's death in 2020. Walter worked two jobs for many years to support his family as Westinghouse machinist, groundskeeper, and plumber while also tending to his often unruly cornucopia of fruit trees, flowers, and vegetable garden. He loved to fish, cook, travel, and be outdoors. Walter was a longtime member and supporter of Norwood's American Legion Post 507 and St. Gabriel's Catholic Parish. Walter is survived by his eight children: John M. Sigda, PhD and his wife Dr. Rebecca G. Rogers of Albany, NY; Christopher M. Sigda and his wife Cathleen A. Sigda of Norwood, PA; Walter J. Sigda, Jr. and his wife Noreen G. Brogan, Esq. of Alpharetta, GA; Mary Kay Sigda and her husband Gregory M. Moreau of Brattleboro, VT; Joseph S. Sigda and his wife Joanna I. Sigda of Ambler, PA; Paula A. Sigda of Brattleboro, VT; Matthew Sigda and his wife Nicole A. Sigda of Media, PA; and Jane M. Sigda, Esq. and her late husband James M. Lally of New York City, NY; 12 grandchildren: Christopher, Krystle, Stephen, Zachariah, Hannah, Emily, Gabriela, Jackson, Russell, Maxwell, Elizabeth, and James; and two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Sloane. His brother Edward Sigda and sister Josephine Garafola also survive him, together with many nieces and nephews. Walter loved raising plants from seed and helped these most fragile things grow to be vibrant, strong, and fruitful. His life of nurturing gardens, family, and community left us a better world. Walter's family will hold a viewing on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 6 to 8 PM at the Cavanagh Family Funeral Home in Norwood, PA. On October 11, 2023 at St. Gabriel's Catholic Parish in Norwood, PA there will be a second public viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, Walter's family request donations be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/donate/ and wish to acknowledge with gratitude the wonderful dedicated care provided to him by the staff at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wilmington, DE.