Obituary: Walter Kurtyka, Retired Clerk

Walter S. Kurtyka, 70, of Turners Falls, a 43-year clerk, typist and clerical assistant, died Jan. 25.

Born Nov. 11, 1947, in Montague City, he grew up in Gill, attended local schools there and was a graduate of Turners Falls High School. He earned an associate degree from Greenfield Community College in 1968.

He was a Vietnam War veteran, serving aboard the U.S.S. Rushmore and U.S.S. Donner and reaching the rank of Yeomen 3rd Class. He joined UMass Amherst in 1973 as a clerk in accounting. He transferred to central stores in 1990 and to the Physical Plant in 1988. He retired in 2010, but continued post-retirement in Facilities and Campus Services until 2016.

He was a member of the Polish Center for Discovery and Learning and the Polish Heritage Committee.

He leaves his sisters Mildred Osciak and her husband Frank, with whom he lived, and Helen Demko of South Deerfield; and his brother Francis of Greenfield.