Walter Puchta, 94, formerly of Lydia Ave. Woonsocket died Wednesday July 18, 2018 at Evergreen House Health Care Center in East Providence. He was the loving husband of the late Muriel J. (Hetu) Puchta. They were married on September 1, 1952 and shared 15 years together until her passing in 1967.
Born in Woonsocket he was a son of the late John and Anna (Poshla) Puchta. He was a resident of Woonsocket for most of his life and also lived in Coventry for a number of years and recently in Riverside.
Mr. Puchta was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Army. He was in the China-Burma-India Theatre. As a member of Company F 475th Infantry he received the Good Conduct and Victory Medals, American Theatre Campaign and Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbons.
Following his service to his country Walter was employed in the textile industry as a foreman at Murray Worsted in Woonsocket and later at Robinson Thread Company in Worcester.
Walter was a member of the Woonsocket Knights of Columbus Council # 113 and the Woonsocket V.F.W. Walter was a particularly skilled cribbage and card player and a staunch Yankees fan. He was a longtime communicant of St. Agatha's Parish and was also active with the Woonsocket Jaycees having been awarded Boss of the Year.
Walter was a devoted family man and his love for his boys grew stronger as he was determined to keep his family together and raise his three sons following the untimely death of his wife Muriel at only 33 years old. Walter was a quiet gentleman who enjoyed the simple things in life.
He is survived by three sons Robert W. Puchta of Riverside, Gerald P. Puchta and James J. Puchta both of Woonsocket. He was the father of the late David Wayne Puchta. He is survived by his grandchildren Michelle Chin and her husband Brian of Queens, N.Y., Bethany Cornell and her husband Joseph of Coventry, David Puchta and his wife Diana of Austin, TX and Daniel J. Puchta of Woonsocket and four great-grandchildren Summer, Cayden, Kyla, and Odin. He was the brother of the late Lena Murray and is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families.
His funeral will be Tuesday at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Agatha’s Church, Woonsocket. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-8 pm.
www.menardfuneralhome.com