Walter C. Grover Jr.

1929 - 2016

BERNARDSTON - Walter C. Grover, Jr, 87, passed peacefully on his birthday September 13, 2016, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA.
He was born September 13, 1929, in Greenfield, MA, to Walter and Rena (Denison) Grover. A lifelong resident of Bernardston, he attended Powers Institute. On October 18, 1953, in the Congregational Church in Brattleboro, VT, he married Patriciann (Covey) Grover.
After high school, he worked for River Maple Farm, Petroleum Equipment Maintenance and G.L. Merriam, transferring to Pittsfield, MA. He returned to Greenfield, MA and worked for 37 years at Merriam Graves until his retirement. After that, he worked 20 years for his son doing landscaping. Throughout this time he also was involved with Knapp Shoes, UPS and held the position of Deputy Tax Collector for the Town of Bernardston for many years.
Walter was very community minded and was always ready to help out whenever and wherever he was needed. As a constable and later as a Lieutenant he served the town police department for 37 years; filling in on two occasions as Acting Police Chief. He was also on the boards of the Historical Society, Council on Aging, Trustees of Powers Institute, Franklin County Police Association and Master of the Bernardston Grange. He spent years volunteering with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and was an actor in the local minstrel shows and many small theater productions.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his three children, Steven Grover and his wife Michelle of E. Dummerston, VT; Kevin Grover and his wife Tammy of Chandler, AZ and Pamela Goodman and her husband Robert of Exeter, NH. His grandchildren Heidi Grover-Daniels, Joshua Grover, Zachary Grover, Kristen Grover, Colby Fortier and Taylor Fortier and 1 great granddaughter, McKenna Daniels, his sisters Joyce Page of Greenfield, MA and Norma Griswold of Sun City, AZ and his step-mother-in-law Shirley Covey of Brattleboro, VT. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Walter was predeceased in death by his brothers Gerald and Rodney, his sister Cynthia Tyler and his sister-in-law Janice.
Friends and family may call on Saturday, September 17, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Avenue, Northfield, MA. Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 18, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Bernardston with Rev. David Neal officiating where Walter's life will be celebrated. Burial will follow in Center Cemetery, with a police escort in honor of his years of service.
Memorial donations can be made to Alzheimer's Association at Alz.org or Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 or to the Police Relief Association, P.O. Box 194, Bernardston, MA 01337.
To send condolences or for directions please visit www.kidderfuneralhome.com.