ROCKLAND — Walter William Wooster Sr., 76, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Friday, January 4, 2019 after many years of living with COPD.

Born in Rockport on February 6, 1942, he was the son of Carl and Alberta Larrabee Wooster.  

After living in Rockport for a few years he moved to the Rockland area where he attended school. He later met his future wife Dianne. They got engaged before he enlisted in the Army in 1964. He attained the rank of SSG E6 at the time of his retirement.

He was deployed to Vietnam where he served as a combat engineer. After he returned to the States, he and Dianne married in 1966 and moved to Connecticut. He worked at Continental Wire for three years and then returned to the Rockland area. He was with the Army National Guard based in Belfast for many years, later transferring to the Army Reserve, Infantry Bravo Co. in Rockland.  

He attended night school through the Army where he attained his high school diploma. He served his nation for over 20 years and was a very proud veteran and often said he would do it over again.

He worked at a number of places including Fisher Engineering, Manset Marine and Rockland Leathers. But his favorites were when he worked at Cedar Works and then later making deliveries for Knox Brothers Auto Parts where he enjoyed being able to talk to the many people he came in contact with.

He always had a smile and a joke for everyone. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and had just met his first great-grandchild. He loved his family beyond measure. He was a Christian and regularly attended the West Rockport Baptist Church, and especially enjoyed attending the monthly Senior Men’s Breakfast.  

He always loved hunting and fishing, especially going smelting in Damariscotta. He was a member of the local Elks Lodge for a number of years and regularly participated in the Horseshoe Tournaments, which was a favorite pastime of his. He loved camping summers at Sandy Shores in Warren when his children were younger and playing cribbage. He also loved volunteering at the Maine Lobster Festival.

Other than his parents, he is predeceased by his brothers, George and Carl, and his sisters, Hazel and Donna.

He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Dianne; his son Walter Wooster Jr. and his wife Lynn of Warren; daughter Teri Casey and her husband Roger of Warren; his son Ken Wooster of Rockland; grandchildren, Jake Wooster and his wife Victoria, Nicholas Casey, Miranda Casey, Autumn Wooster, Ruby Wooster; a great-grandchild Grayson Liam; his brothers, John Wooster and Ronald Wooster both of Rockland; sisters, Cynthia Hall and her husband Doug of Rockland; Helen Garneau and her husband Tim of Windsor; Mary Wooster of Florida; Lisa Robinson and her husband Steve of Cushing; Flora Hill of Connecticut; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 1 to 2 p.m., with a service held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, at the West Rockport Baptist Church, 545 Park Street, West Rockport. Fellowship will follow the service at the church.

Cremation and arrangements are through Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, Maine. Burial will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pope Memorial Humane Society, 25 Buttermilk Lane, Thomaston, ME  04861.

To share a memory or story with Walter’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.