Walter Henry Sutton,

ATHOL - Walter Henry Sutton, Jr., 73, of Athol, died after a long battle with Leukemia on Saturday, May 1, 2010 in the Athol Memorial Hospital. He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on April 24, 1937, the son of the late Walter Henry Sr. and the late Ruth L. (Parker) Sutton. Wally was born and raised in Lynn and graduated from Lynn English High School in 1954. He served in the United States Army National Guard from 1955 to 1959 and also served during the Vietnam War in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1963. He lived in Peabody for seven years and raised a family in Townsend for twenty-seven years. He has resided in Athol for the past twelve years where he enjoyed an amazing retirement. Wally worked at various places over the years including Wang Laboratories in Tewksbury where he was employed as a computer technician many years ago and more recently had worked as a caregiver at Montachusett Industry Resources in Fitchburg, retiring in 1996. Wally had a passion for cars, especially antique cars and convertibles, and enjoyed detailing and maintaining them. He was artistic and creative. He took pride in decorating his homes. Wally was an avid painter who believed that "Life is an illusion" and you can create anything you wish with paint. He truly loved the beach, enjoying long walks with the love of his life. He leaves his loving, devoted wife of forty-four years, Carol L. (Luponi) Sutton; two daughters, Sherri Allen of Sandown, NH and Kimberly Gushlaw of Ashburnham; one sister, Thelma Tracey of Weare, NH; four grandchildren, Lorin Dupuis, of Ashburnham (who is currently attending Keene State in NH), Tyler Gushlaw of Ashburnham, and Nicholas and Steven Allen of Sandown, NH, and many close friends. Services will be held Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon. A Celebration of Life and lunch reception will follow at the Miller's River Woods and Riverbend Clubhouse at 739 Daniel Shay's Highway at which the family would like to invite anyone to come forward with a funny story, memory or anecdote about Wally. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in his memory to The Lighthouse Hospice Foundation, 529 Main St., Suite 101, Charlestown, MA 02129. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.murphysfuneralhome.com. Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol, is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });