Walter L. DeBarge

Walter L. DeBarge, 86, of Ludlow, MA passed away peacefully at sunrise on March 25, 2018 surrounded by the love of his wife and four children and with his older daughter holding his hand through the night.  He was born on February 19, 1932, to Leo and Margaret (Smith) DeBarge and was raised in Springfield, MA with his parents, four sisters, and three brothers, all of whom are now deceased except for his youngest brother, Thomas, who still resides in Springfield.  Walter married the love of his life Mary E. Waldron on May 31, 1958, and they had 59 wonderful years together in their home in Ludlow.  Walter leaves his four children, John DeBarge and his wife Penny of Ludlow, Susan DeBarge of Hamden, CT, Sandra Ross and her husband David of Agawam, and his youngest child Stephen and his wife Christine of Belchertown.  Walter also leaves many grandchildren, Mary, John, Cynthia, Heidi, Andrew, Sarah, Adam, Michael, Matthew, Jillian, and he was pre-deceased by his granddaughter Olivia in 2005.  He also leaves his great grandchildren Justin, Rachael, Liam, Ruby, Adam, Gage, Kyra, Nick, and Mason.

Walter was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. Walter worked hard all of his life in sales to provide for his family, and for those that knew and loved him.  He was an avid NY Yankees fan and loved to play golf and cards, especially Pitch and Solitaire.  He enjoyed puttering around in the yard whenever the weather allowed and was known for smoking a cigar or two from time to time, although never in the house or the car by order of his wife.  He was a parishioner of the former St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Ludlow, a place where he always loved to be.  Walter’s children will remember him as the biggest little man they ever knew since he stood only at 4’ 11” yet his heart was just so big and so kind.  He was always a gentleman, and the time he treasured most was the time he spent caring for his grandchildren.  He would rock and sing to them for hours when they were babies, and he loved taking them for long walks in a stroller.

Walter’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of the nursing staff and care givers at Mercy Medical Center, both in the ER and on the 5^th floor.  The last ten days of his life were bittersweet to say the least, but his family was truly comforted by their caring and compassion, particularly when the end was imminent.  We are forever grateful that he was able to see, talk, and smile with his wife, children, and brother before he died.  By Walter’s request, his burial will be small and private.  In lieu of any gifts or donations, the family asks that anyone who cared about Walter perform any small random act of kindness to anyone, something he did often and will be remembered for by so many.