Walter O. Kittredge
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Published on November 19, 2014
Walter O. Kittredge, of Forestdale, passed away peacefully on November 18. He was surrounded by his family and friends as he entered his new life. Wally had recently celebrated his 62nd birthday.
Wally grew up in Weymouth, MA among a group of life-long friends. His family moved to Pennsylvania during his high school years where he attended Moon High in Coraopolis. He is a ’74 graduate of Penn State University. He loved the University and was an avid fan. Wally loved nature and sharing his passion for the world with others. He enjoyed camping, bird watching, studying plants and trees, being at and in the ocean, and traveling cross-country. Wally was also an avid reader, loved old movies, and was an accomplished pianist. A history and science major, he was a Civil War expert.
Mr. Kittredge began his long teaching career with a year in Attleboro. He then moved on to Stone Environmental School in Maine, and was a Director of the Arlington Outdoor Education Program (AOE) in Arlington, MA for several years. Before returning to Pennsylvania, Wally also taught pre-school at the Arlington Children’s Center. On March 15, 1986, Wally married his wife Jane. In 1988, they moved to Emmaus, PA, where Wally began his career teaching 7th grade science at Moravian Academy in Bethlehem. He was known as “Captain” by the Middle School Director and dubbed Mr. K. by his students. His fussball elective was as popular as his classes. When Wally, Jane, and their son JT moved to Sandwich in 1998, Wally began his first of 13 years as the seventh grade science teacher at Forestdale School. As in PA, the students in Forestdale looked forward to his class every day and enjoyed his memorable yeast lab (making home-made pizza). Mr. K. was always appreciated for making learning fun, and for his ability to make his students feel welcomed and valued. Mr. K. enjoyed coaching the girls’ softball team at Forestdale.
Mr. K.’s battle with ALS began on February 15, 2011 and he retired from teaching at the end of that school year. He accepted all of the debilitating changes to his life with the grace and humor for which he was always known. Wally always felt that he had lived a full and happy life. Mr. Kittredge was preceded in death by his beloved mother Jeannette O. Kittredge. He is survived by his wife Jane M. (Cuneo) Kittredge and his son J.T. (John) Kittredge. He is also survived by his father Owen J. Kittredge and step-mother Annetta of St. Petersburg, FL and his brother and best friend Bruce Kittredge of Marshfield, MA; his nephew Shawn Kittredge and his wife Jocelyn, great nephew Cameron and great niece Halle of Hingham, MA. Mr. Kittredge also leaves behind his father-in-law and mother-in-law Frank and Marie Cuneo of Sharon, MA; his sister-in-law Joan (Cuneo) Hathaway, brother-in-law Paul Hathaway, nieces and nephew Elizabeth Hathaway, Matthew Hathaway, and Stephanie Hathaway; brother-in-law John Cuneo, sister-in-law Jill Cuneo, and nieces Nicole and Kristen Cuneo.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday November 21, 2014 from 4 to 8 PM at the Chapman, Cole, and Gleason Funeral Home 74 Algonquin Ave. in Mashpee, MA. The funeral will be held at the First Church of Christ in Sandwich on Saturday November 22, 2014 at 10:00AM. Burial will follow in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon, MA. Donations in Mr. Kittredge’s memory can be made to CCALS (Compassionate Care ALS) P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574. Since Wally loved nature, it would honor his memory if, come spring, you would please plant a tree.
