WORCESTER-Walter J. McGuiness, Jr., 84, of 158 Barnard Road, died Saturday, April 15th, in St. Vincent Hospital. He leaves a brother, J. Francis McGuiness and his wife Irene of Worcester and was the beloved uncle of Betty, Don, Mary, Janet, and Walter Peterson, and Patti Sullivan. He shared his home with Betty Peterson, and grandnieces, Elizabeth Tornatola and Kimberly Tornatola, for 30 years. His sister, Elizabeth Peterson, died in 1970.
He was born in Worcester, son of Walter J. McGuiness Sr. and Elizabeth C. (McKeon) McGuiness and attended Worcester Boys Trade School. He worked at the College of the Holy Cross from 1939 to 1987, and retired as manager of the student dining facility, Kimball Hall, where he considered many of the students his second family. He was a life member of the Crusader Council Knights of Columbus and the Bishop O’Reilly Assembly Knights of Columbus, where he was a Fourth Degree Knight. A devout Catholic, he was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Walter served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on Destroyer Escorts Fessenden and Hanna. Walter was involved with the Holy Cross Women’s Basketball team since 1974 as its #1 fan and traveled extensively with the team attending all games. He was an avid sports fan, stamp collector, and enjoyed reading. Over his lifetime, he traveled to 50 countries, enjoying the history of each one.
The funeral is Tuesday, April 18th, from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 600 Cambridge Street. Entombment will be in St. John’s Cemetery Mausoleum. Calling hours are Monday, April 17th, from 4:00 until 8:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Jesuit Seminary & Mission Bureau, P.O. Box 799, Back Bay Annex, Boston, MA 02117-0799 or to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 596 Cambridge St., Worcester, MA 01610.