On, January 2, 2025, Walter Woods of Wellesley, MA, died peacefully at the age of 106 years surrounded by his family. Walter was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary of almost 68 years, in 2010. Walter is survived by his children: Walter Woods, Ladera Ranch, CA; Mary (Woods) Blenkle, Mission Viejo, CA; Joseph Woods, Maynard, MA; and Deborah Woods, Stow, MA; his 6 grandchildren Andrew Blenkle, Washington, DC; Matthew Blenkle, Chandler, AZ; Patrick Blenkle, Orange, CA; Sean Blenkle, Murrieta, CA; Meghan (Ryan) O’Connor, Stow, MA: Kaitlin Ryan, Stow, MA; and 8 Great-grandchildren Hailey Blenkle, Morgan Blenkle, Elizabeth Blenkle, Slater Blenkle, Andrew J. Blenkle, Sophie O’Conner, Christopher Blenkle, James O’Connor.
Walter graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in 1942. During World War II, Walter served in the US Army as a civilian engineer, designing airplanes at NACA, Langley Field, Hampton, VA.
After the war, Walter and his wife, Mary, moved back to Boston, where Walter worked for the MBTA until his retirement, in 1971. In 1957, Walter and his family moved to Wellesley, MA, where he lived until his death.
Walter was an influential member of town government in Wellesley. He served on the Wellesley Board of Public Works for 16 years; Town Meeting Member from Precinct A for 53 years and as a Town Representative to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) which he helped establish in 1985, and on which he served for 32 years, until his 99th birthday. As a chair of the Regional Committee, in 1996 Walter worked to help lease 36 acres of Elm Bank land to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
Walter was described as a true gentleman, a skilled winemaker and dedicated public servant who has contributed to the success of the town of Wellesley and the MWRA.
On December 31, 2024, Walter was recognized as Wellesley’s current oldest resident with the presentation of the ceremonial Boston Post Cane.
Visitation at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington Street, Wellesley on Wednesday, January 8, from 4-7pm. Funeral Mass on Thursday, January 9, in St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in memory of Walter Woods to be made to the Wellesley Council on Aging, 500 Washington St. Wellesley, MA 02482.