Obituary of Walter-L. Salvas

BARRE - Walter Leo Salvas, of Daniel Drive, died peacefully Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in the Rowan Court Health and Rehabilitation Center in Barre surrounded by his family. He was born Feb. 1, 1933, in Stowe to Robert and Odella Salvas. He graduated from Stowe High School in 1951, and then from Albany Business College in 1953. During the Korean conflict, he served in the U.S. Army. In 1955, he married Ann Banfield and settled in Montpelier. Walter worked for 42 years at Vermont Plastics Inc. in Montpelier starting out as the bookkeeper and later served as the vice president until he retired in 1998. After retirement, he worked part-time at S and L Auto Parts. His memberships included St. Augustine Catholic Church in Montpelier, where he served as an usher and collector, the Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge 924, also in Montpelier. Playing golf and following the Boston Red Sox were important to him. For many years he prepared people's income tax returns. He is survived by his wife, Ann Salvas, of Barre; his children, Michelle Somaini and husband Jon, of Montpelier, Diane Peterson and husband Dan, of Montpelier, and Rob Salvas and wife Sandy, of Barre. Walter leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, A.J. Somaini, Casey Somaini, David Peterson, Drew Peterson, Pierce Salvas, Nicholas Salvas and Rachel Salvas. He also is survived by his two sisters, Gloria Denton and Kathy Kneale, of Stowe, and one brother, Richard Salvas, of Old Saybrook, Conn. He is predeceased by his parents and one brother, Edward Salvas. A service of celebration of Walter's life will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Montpelier at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012. The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, is assisting the family with arrangements.