Walter C. Huntress

Walter C. Huntress, 76, of Shapleigh, died Thursday, May 4, 2006 at the Greenwood Center in Sanford.Walter was born in Springvale on January 7, 1930 to Carl and Carlotta Dunn Huntress. He was a 1948 Graduate of Sanford High School and married his wife, Pauline Veroneau in 1954.Mr. Huntress served on the Sanford Fire department for 37 years. He started out as a call fireman in 1955. He worked his way up as a call firefighter and eventually became first assistant chief in the call company. In 1967 he joined the full time department, he worked his way through the ranks of the department and became division chief in 1977. He served for a time as the acting chief. Walter retired on March 12, 1993.Walter was a very hard worker and usually found a way to keep himself busy. He enjoyed vegetable gardening and raising beef cattle. Mr. Huntress also did work as a carpenter; he built many houses over the years. In his younger years he raced cars at a track in South Sanford. Walter was a very kind man, always there to lend a hand to somebody that needed it. He was also a devoted family man; he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Huntress was a very kind hearted person and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.The Huntress family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. John McGuckin and the staff of the Greenwood Center for all of the care and support shown to Walter and his family. Walter was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Leslie Huntress.Surviving are his wife, Pauline Huntress of Shapleigh; four daughters, Gail Marie Chapais of Shapleigh, Karen Lee Dumas of Springvale, Debbie Ann Huntress of Sanford and Tracy Jean Desfosses of Shapleigh; eight grandchildren, Eric and Jeffery Chapais, Melissa and Kevin Dumas, Jason Bailey, Lindsay Caramihalis and Nathan and Jacob Desfosses; two brothers, Charles and Fred Huntress of Shapleigh; a sister Ruth Smith of Sanford and several nieces and nephews.A period of visitation will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2006 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home Monday, May 8, 2006 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Greenwood Center, 1142 Main Street, Sanford, ME 04073 or the Alzheimer's Association, 163 Lancaster Street, Suite 160 B, Portland, ME 04101. To leave a message of condolence online, please use the "condolence" tab to the left.