Obituary of Walter Bereza

Herkimer:  Walter Bereza, Jr., age 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away the evening of July 15 at Valley Health Services, surrounded by the love and support of his family.

He was born in Herkimer on October 22, 1929, the son of Walter J. and Michelina (Drapalski) Bereza and attended Herkimer schools.  On July 23, 1949 Walter married the former Shirley I. Wilson at Grace Episcopal Church, Mohawk, NY.  Together they formed a loving relationship that would have led them to their 69^th wedding anniversary.

Walter held various jobs in the valley and beyond, most recently retiring from the New York State Department of Transportation in 1976.  An avid outdoorsman, Walter enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.  Due to his green thumb, he operated and enjoyed selling produce and flowers from his home vegetable stand.  During the holiday season, he was known to sell Christmas trees and wreaths from his Acme Road residence.  Walt enjoyed watching and supporting the Syracuse Men’s basketball team – “Go Cuse!”

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Shirley, and his six children, Carol (Joseph) Raymond of Richfield Springs, Barbara Frank of Mohawk, Janet (Robert) Yardley of Herkimer, Stephen Bereza of Ilion, William (Laura Holzer) Bereza of Saranac, and Julie Walker of Camden.  He is also survived by a former daughter-in-law, Diane Brown Bereza and a former son-in-law, Patrick Walker of Veron Center.  He also leaves a brother, John (Stella) Bereza of Glens Falls, sister-in-law Ferne Helmer, brothers-in-law, Charles Wilson and Richard Hadcock.  A special cousin, Irene Ptasznik, also survives.  He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Stacy, Christine, Heather, Richard, Thomas, Erika, Ashley, Robert, Michael, Charlene, Sarah, Katherine, Patrick, Christopher, Jordan, and Marc.  He also leaves 19 great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, and his legacy will live on through Maegan, Connor, Meadow, Annika, Fletcher, Adelaide, Gianna, Kamryn, Brodie, Julia, Rachael, Michael, Matthew, Blake, Andrew, Grace, Crystal, Nathan, Noah, and one on the way.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a sister, Johanna and her husband Bernard Haley, and a son-in-law, Richard Frank.

Special thanks to all the staff of One East, for the loving care and attention given to our father for the last three years, with special thanks to Courtney.  Special thanks to Father Daniel Lanza of the Alpine Nursing Home and Sister Mary Joan Korce for fulfilling the family’s wishes of obtaining the final Sacraments on a moment’s notice.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday evening, July 18, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315-894-8000).  Funeral services will begin Thursday, July 19, at 9:15 AM at the funeral home followed by Walter’s Funeral Mass which will be celebrated by the Reverend Mark Cunningham at 10:00 AM in St. Francis de Sales Church, N. Bellinger Street, Herkimer, with burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery, W. German Street, Herkimer.

Contributions in Walter’s memory may be made to Valley Health Services, 690 W. German Street, Herkimer, NY 13350.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin Ciaccia, Funeral Directors, are honored to serve the Bereza family.  Online expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.eneafamily.com.