Worcester – Walter K. Cushman Jr. died peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital on Sunday, May 27, 2018 in Worcester, Mass. of interstitial lung disease. He was 87.
Mr. Cushman was born June 24, 1930, in Springfield, Mass. to Alberta Bauer Cushman and Walter Keith Cushman Sr He graduated from Springfield College in 1953 with a degree in Recreation and Youth Leadership, and married Joyce (“Cricket”) Silva of Springfield in 1954.
After serving briefly as a U.S. Army corporal, Mr. Cushman began a career with the YMCA, which included Youth Director positions in Jamaica and Patchogue, N.Y. and Executive Director positions in Roxboro, Pa. and Hackensack, N.J. In 1976, he married Joan AuBuchon of New Milford, N.J., with whom he returned to his home state and lived the rest of his years. He retired from the Greendale YMCA of Worcester, Mass.
Throughout his life, Mr. Cushman was a man of deep and unwavering faith. In his youth, he was a member of South Congregational Church in Springfield, and for the past 25 years, he was an active lay leader (Deacon) and devoted member of United Congregational Church in Worcester. In college, he played clarinet and saxophone, competitive tennis, and was president of “the Optimist Club”.
He was most passionate about leading youth programs at his various YMCA positions; volunteering at Summit House; his friends and card ministry at United; and most recently, his friends and activities at Goddard House where he lived. Mr. Cushman was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Joan of 39 years; a son, David S. Cushman; and his sister, Mary Cushman Pierce. He is survived by his former wife Joyce Cushman Alexander; their children Linda F. Cushman-Baugh (Edward) of Englewood, N.J.; James G. Cushman of San Mateo, Calif.
; and Susan E. Cushman of Long Beach, N.Y.; his step-children Suzanne Napier (Terrence), Terry Wisoff (Marshall), Stephanie Miller (Frank), Mark Aubuchon (Jennifer); daughter-in-law Joan Powers (Craig); 8 grandchildren (Julia, Ben, Sean, Jeremy, Clare, Erin, Meghan and Hannah); one great-grandchild Lucy; and nieces Lyn Strickler (Peter), Nancy Valente (Javid), and Cynthia Nestle (Scott). A celebration of Mr. Cushman’s life will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Road, Worcester, Mass. 01609 at 1:30 p.m. (family visitation) with a service at 2 p.m. and reception to follow at 3 p.m. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or United Congregational Church of Worcester. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Graham, Putnam & Mahoney Funeral Parlors. To share a memory or offer condolences, a guestbook is available at www.
gpmfunerals.com.
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