Walter Francis THERRIEN

CHESHIRE -- Walter Francis Therrien, 74, of 149 Willow Cove died yesterday at Berkshire Medical Center, where he was admitted Sunday. Born in North Adams on Nov. 22, 1931, son of Walter L. and Frances Bailey Therrien, he attended the former St. Joseph's Parochial Elementary School and the former St. Joseph's High School. He graduated in 1950 from Drury High School. A veteran of the Korean War, he served in the Army from Nov. 19, 1952, until his honorable discharge with the rank of corporal on Nov. 18, 1954. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Therrien owned and operated the former Walt's Service Center at 54 River St. until his retirement in 1996, after which he assisted his daughter in the operation of Crafter's Cottage in Adams and was a limousine driver for Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home in North Adams. Previously, he was a mechanic for the former Vic and Paul's garage, and was employed by Scarafoni Ford. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church. He was a member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion in North Adams. He was a Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and wood-working. He and his wife, the former Anne Marie St. Pierre, were married Sept. 28, 1963 at Notre Dame Church in Adams. Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Michelle A. Gajda of Cheshire and Sandra J. Therrien of Pittsfield; one son, Robert M. Therrien of Cheshire, and four grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Walter Francis Therrien, who died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005, will be Friday at 10:30 at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapel, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, celebrated by the Rev. David Raymond, pastor. Burial will be at a later date. Calling hours are Thursday from 3 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Church or the Cheshire Volunteer Fire Dept., in care of the funeral home. He also leaves a son-in-law, David E. Gajda, his grandchildren, Joshua Gajda, Hannah Gajda, Megan Therrien and Erin Therrien, and several cousins. Published in The Berkshire Eagle on 12/14/2005.