Walter Woitasek

Walter Woitasek passed away at his home at the Park Danforth in Portland, Maine, on June 16, 2024, of a heart condition, at the age of ninety-three. He was born May 30, 1931, in Hackensack, New Jersey. His father, John, passed away from an injury in 1933, leaving a family of five children and his wife, Mary. Walter began school in Hackensack and finished kindergarten there but once again, tragedy struck the family. In a household accident at age six, Walter lost vision in both eyes. Seeking better education and work opportunities for herself and the older children, Mary moved her family to the nearby town of Fort Lee. Walter began first grade in a state rehabilitation program that was excellent and helped Walter develop skills which he used until his death: typing, listening, reading, and writing Braille, and white cane travel. He was mainstreamed into his classrooms so he could compete in Track and Field events and later in high school wrestling. He also learned to make friends within the sighted student body. He was bussed to school, but he still had plenty of time to explore his new neighborhood of Fort Lee. As a result of living near a music store, Walter began to develop his talent for playing several instruments. The owner of the store looked for a way to finance lessons for him and very soon, the local branch of the American Legion became his sponsor. When in high school, Walter auditioned for the band and became the leading trumpet player. After his high school graduation in 1949, he attended a piano technician training school sponsored by the Rehabilitation Program of New Jersey. Later he went on to play his trumpet with numerous groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. His lifetime interest in music led to certification as a piano tuner/technician and as a teacher for the Piano Technicians’ Guild. Feeling a call to the ministry, he was accepted by Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. He met Dorothy there and they were married in Richmond, Indiana in 1953. He transferred to Earlham College where he graduated in June 1957 with a Master of Theology Degree. Walter was ordained as a United Methodist Pastor in 1972 and was accepted as a Pastor in the United Church of Christ in 2007. In addition to serving as Pastor for churches in Indiana, Colorado, Maine, and Massachusetts, he served as a member of several councils and task forces working for the rights of disabled people. In Maine, he served on the Board of Directors for the IRIS Network and as Chairman of the State Consumer Advisory Committee. He also worked on the NEWSLINE Project, which makes newspapers and magazines available through phone use to those who cannot read print. He reached out to people to help them achieve their dreams. He also worked as a volunteer chaplain with people with intellectual disabilities, prisoners in State and Federal prisons, in hospitals, and at two Air Force bases. He and his wife, Dorothy, established a piano rebuilding business in Brockton, MA called Piano Revival. Walter also organized the Southeastern Massachusetts/Rhode Island chapter of the Piano Technicians’ Guild and was active in training apprentices. Walter was always an advocate for the visually impaired and for those who are on the edge of society, facing family or health problems and spiritually or socially impoverished lives. He believed that blindness is not what describes you or your future. Low expectations create obstacles that can block your dreams and hopes. In 2009, Walter moved to Portland, Maine where he accepted a position as Pastor of the North Congregational Church in Buxton, Maine where he served until his final retirement. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings, and his son, James. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy; sons David and his wife, Elizabeth Clements and Steven and his companion, Deborah Vickers; daughter Amber Murchison; and four grandchildren, Andrew, Daniel, and Martha Woitasek and Jillian Buonomo and her husband, Mark. Walter enjoyed reading, listening to music, hiking, bird watching (by sound), swimming, travel, and staying connected with his large family of cousins, nieces, and nephews. He also enjoyed spending time at his vacation home in Steuben, Maine, and visiting with his many friends there and at the First Congregational Church of Cherry Field (UCC). He also served as a Trustee for the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church. His laughter, smiles, cheerful greeting, and joy of living will be missed by all whom he knew. He had a special way of working with animals and remembered his four dogs and many cats with fond affection. Above all, his faith in a loving and forgiving God was the rock of his ability to overcome handicaps and disabilities. A celebration of Walter’s life will be held on August 3, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church located at 280 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, Maine. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Walter’s name to The Iris Network, 189 Park Avenue, Portland, ME 04102 or to The Animal Refuge League of Grater Portland, 217 Landing Rd., Westbrook, ME 04092.

Walter Woitasek

May 30, 1931 - June 16, 2024