In Memory of

Walter

H.

McAlpin

Obituary for Walter H. McAlpin

Walter McAlpin passed away at the age of 89 on the morning of Tuesday, May 30th at his home in Mount Kisco, New York. He is survived by his beloved wife Blanca Lucia McAlpin; his four children, Linda McAlpin Vodak, Theresa Alvarez, Walter McAlpin, and MaryAnn McAlpin-Giraldo; and his nine grandchildren, Danielle, Jorge Jr., Deanna, Gregory, Jake, Kyle, Daniel, Lucas, and Clare. Walter was born on February 7, 1928 in New York City to parents Walter McAlpin and Elizabeth Keefe. His first few years took place in Chelsea and the Lower West Side. In 1930, his father passed away of tuberculosis, leaving just him and his mother until Al Fredricksen stepped in as a father figure. The family moved to the Bronx shortly thereafter. Walter spent much of his time outside of school in the Boy Scouts and vacationed with family at Saranac Lake, New York, where he once met Albert Einstein, a “very odd” brilliant man. In 1947, he joined the Army. Though he never fought in combat, he was proud of the three years spent on domestic base camps in New York state, California, and more. After being discharged in 1949, Walter joined the Local 3 Electrical Union and returned to life in the city. It’s there that he met Blanca Lucia Lievano at a church dance in Manhattan and confidently pursued her until they married on May 30, 1959. By 1964, they had four children and had moved upstate from the Bronx. He and Lucy became regular parishioners at the Holy Name of Jesus church. Walter retired as an electrician in 1989 and in the next ten years, he became known for his suspenders, sweet tooth, and affinity for straws—a habit adopted after having quit smoking for his first grandchild’s birth. He was a dedicated member of AA and passed away in his 40th year of sobriety. He lived by the laws of hard work, practicality, and fairness, all the while quietly supporting his children and grandchildren in their many independent endeavors. “People are just dying to live in Valhalla,” he often said with a delightfully cheesy smirk. He will be cherished throughout his children’s hometown and beyond. The family will receive friends at the Beecher Flooks Funeral Home in Pleasantville on Sunday June 4th from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church in Mount Kisco on Monday at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY. Flowers are appreciated and should be sent to the funeral home.