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Walter P. Chomak Veteran
March 23, 2022

Obituary

Walter P. Chomak, 86, died on March 23, 2022, with his wife by his side.

Born in Fall River, MA on June 2, 1935, to Stefan and Anna (Tkacz) Chomak, both born in Ukraine, he was predeceased by his older brother Stephen Chomak and his younger brother Gerald Chomak.

Born and raised in Fall River by his mother after his father died, Walter graduated from Durfee High School and Providence College before furthering his education at Bridgewater State University where he earned a Master's Degree in Education. Walter was a strong presence and lifelong educator who taught in Fall River and eventually settled at the Gidley School in Dartmouth for most of his career. He married the love of his life, MaryAnn Peters Chomak, and spent 57 wonderful years by her side. They raised four children and have ten grandchildren. He spent most of his life in New Bedford's West End where neighbors were like family. Walter and MaryAnn recently moved to South Dartmouth and enjoyed spending time outdoors getting to know their new neighbors.

As a young man, Walter spent his days as a lifeguard at Horseneck and Baker's Beach in Westport, and Friday nights you could find him dancing at the Venus de Milo. In addition to being an educator, Walter dabbled in many small business ventures - Chimney Sweep being the most memorable. Walter loved to fly and spent some of his retirement working towards his pilot’s license. He loved going for long drives on sunny days with his wife - especially in the convertible. He was often on a quest to find a great hamburger paired with the perfect fries, but there was nothing Walter loved more than spending time with his family, always encouraging anyone to "Come again when you can stay longer."

Walter is survived by his wife MaryAnn Peters Chomak, married on July 11, 1964, and his children Tara Boukheir of S. Dartmouth, Nina Chomak (Donnelly) of Portland, OR, Kyra Chomak (Lawton) of S. Dartmouth, and Walter Paul Chomak, and his wife Wendy Hall Chomak of East Sandwich, MA and his grandchildren, Sabrina Boukheir, Peter Boukheir, Carson Donnelly, Anna Donnelly, Emerson Lawton, Camden Lawton, Sorelle Lawton, Samuel Furtado, William Furtado, and Charles Henry Furtado.

We will be celebrating Walter's life on Saturday, April 2nd at 9 am with a Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Purgatory Church in New Bedford. A private family burial will be held at Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to support Ukrainian refugees: www.razomforukraine.org.

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Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Homes
495 Park Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-994-0100