Walter Duda, a lifelong resident of Pittsfield, died Thursday, October 25, at Berkshire Medical Center after a long illness. He was 87 years old.
Born in Pittsfield on July 11, 1925, son of Louis L. Duda and Antonina Serowik Duda, Walter graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1943 and was immediately accepted into the V-5 Naval Aviation Cadet Program. He was assigned to Williams College, Colgate University, the University of North Carolina where he played football with Charlie "Choo-Choo" Justice and the University of Chicago.
On May 30, 1949, he married Camilla (Connie) Biedrzycki at Holy Family Church in Pittsfield. Walter was a lifelong member of Holy Family Parish serving for many years as a lector, collector and volunteer on several renovation projects.
Walter enjoyed helping out at his father's store, Duda's Market, before joining the General Electric Company in 1945. After a dedicated career of 45 years, he retired in 1991, as the supervisor of the High Voltage Test Laboratory where he received many managerial awards. Throughout his career, he enjoyed working in high voltage power, the direct effects of lightning strikes and testing transformer system components.
Walter enjoyed fishing, bowling, golf and especially dancing. He participated in Polish folk dancing at community ethnic fairs, served as former president and member of the Voitre Soiree Ballroom Dance Club and the Lanesboro and Dalton Square Dance Clubs. He was former president of the Pittsfield Exchange Club, the Almost Dinner Club and an inaugural member of the Berkshire Community College Advisory Board.
Walter and Connie enjoyed traveling throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii as well as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Italy and Poland. They owned Camellia's Fashion and Gifts Shop in Lanesboro for 25 years.
Walter is survived by Connie, his wife of 63 years; his son Andrew of Maui, Hawaii; his daughter Mary Lee Ryba of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; his daughter Jennifer and her husband Shinichi Imamura of Plymouth, Michigan; and his son Jonathan and his wife Lisa (Petell) of Lanesboro. He leaves seven grandchildren Danielle (Ryba) and her husband David Beaudine of Spokane; Dominique (Ryba) and her husband Jeff Oboyski of Sacramento; Tatiana Imamura of New York City and Sabrina Imamura of Plymouth, Michigan; and Heather, Makayla and Nicholas Duda of Lanesboro. Walter was delighted to join the christening celebration of Brian Beaudine, his great grandson, this past May in Spokane. Mr. Duda is survived by his brother Louis Duda of Atlanta, and his sister Stella Koza, of Brewster. He leaves many loving and devoted nieces and nephews. Walter is also survived by his lifelong friend Louis Alfonso.
He is predeceased by his infant son, his sisters Honora Majchrowski and Blanche Harubin and son-in-law Brian Ryba.
A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at BMC 5th Floor West for their compassionate care of Walter in his last few weeks.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Walter Duda, 87, of Pittsfield who died October 25, 2012 will be held Monday, October 28, 2012 at 10:15 a.m. from the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, pastor. Calling hours will be held at the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 28th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Joseph Parish Food Pantry Thanksgiving Turkey Drive in care of the funeral home.

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