CHESHIRE, Mass. — Mr. Walter Edward Bator Jr., 83, of Cheshire died on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, at his home.

He was born in Adams on August 15, 1934, a son of the late Walter and Stephanie Bator. He attended schools in Adams and Cheshire and graduated from the former Adams High School with the class of 1952. He then attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Mr. Bator served in the United States Army, both active duty and the reserves, from 1957 to 1963. Trained at Fort Rucker, Alabama, he received the Good Conduct Medal and citations for expert in rifle and carbine. He then worked for over 30 years at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, Conn., serving as a Production Supervisor in the test department until retiring on September 30, 1994.

He enjoyed classical music, going to the beach, walking his dog, tending his garden, and doing crossword puzzles. He was a proud grandparent, always cheering for his grandson at football games, and watching his granddaughter’s dance recitals. He had a wicked sense of humor and would make all those around him laugh with his stories and one-liners. He was kind and generous and believed in giving to those in need.   

He is survived by his wife, the former Barbara Brassard, whom he married on September 4, 1971; three daughters, Susan Bator of Attleboro, Mass., Deborah Bernat Kostek of Farmington, Conn., and Jennifer Wright and her husband Donald of Adams, Mass.; two sisters, Patricia Malnati and her husband Fran of Richmond, Mass., and Kathryn Sumislaski and her husband Robert of Vernon, Conn.; three brothers, J. Michael Bator and his wife Carolyn of Manchester, Conn., Peter Bator and his wife Diana of Cheshire, Mass., and Daniel Bator and his wife Gayle of Albuquerque, N.M.; two grandchildren, Zachary and Carly Wright; his beloved dog and best friend, Toby; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Michael DeLeo and the staff at the Berkshire Medical Center Cancer and Infusion Center for their wonderful care.

Funeral notice: The funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at noon in the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, officiated by Rev. William Furey. Calling hours are Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service in the funeral home.  

Burial will be in the spring in Cheshire Cemetery. The family requests the omission of flowers and suggests memorial donations be made to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, 63 Downing Industrial Park, Pittsfield, MA 01201; Soldier On, 360 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA 01201; or Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498.