Published in the May 25, 2018 edition
MELROSE — Walter L. Edmonds, Jr., 99, longtime resident of Melrose passed away peacefully on May 18, 2018 at the Chelsea Soldiers and Sailors Home, surrounded by family. He was predeceased by his wife Madeline Edmonds in 2010 and brothers and sisters, William, Dorothy, George, Jean, John, Judy and Paul.
Born in a firehouse in Boston on August 2, 1918, son of Walter L. Edmonds and Catherine (Costello) Edmonds, he was raised in South Boston and attended South Boston High School. He served two summers with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) building roads in Vermont and later also a brief stint in the US Merchant Marines aboard the USS Halsey. He served with distinction in the Army during WWII, a combat infantryman in Sicily and Italy, receiving the Purple Heart for wounds received during the battle of Anzio in January 1944. He also received a Combat Infantry Badge, and two Bronze Service Stars.
After an Honorable Discharge, he graduated from Burdette College with an associate’s degree and began a 40 year career in sales. He and Madeline settled in Melrose in 1955. They were longtime parishioners of Most Blessed Sacrament in Wakefield where Walter was a Boy Scout Leader and ice hockey coach.
He is survived by his children Deborah (Edmonds) O’Connor and husband Richard of Nahant, Walter “Leo” Edmonds and wife Sarah of Montgomery, Texas; Alan Edmonds of Melrose, and Audrey (Edmonds) Stone and husband Robert of Daleville Va.; Grandchildren Kelly Lynch and husband David, Tammy McBride and husband Joel, Emily Edmonds, Jacob Edmonds and Meredith Stone, three great-grandchildren, Sean, Brendan and Liam Lynch and his sister Margaret (Edmonds) Lafferty of Hyde Park.
Visitation with family will be at the Gately Funeral Home 79 W Foster St. Melrose on May 29 from 9-10:30 a.m., funeral mass at Most Blessed Sacrament 1155 Main St, Wakefield at 11 a.m., followed immediately by interment at Linden Woods Cemetery in Stoneham. The family wishes to thank the staff, nurses and doctors of the Chelsea Soldier’s and Sailor’s Home for their diligent, nurturing and attentive care. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com
