Walter Vining

Walter D. Vining, 87, of New Port Richey, Florida (previously of Shrewsbury, VT) passed away on December 18, 2020 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease and Covid-19. He was predeceased by his parents, Essex A. Vining, and Miriam (French) Vining. His brother, Robert, currently lives in Florida. Mr. Vining grew up in Raymond NH, and graduated from the town high school 1951. It was in Raymond that Walt met his first wife, Janet Severance. Together they had five children. His children include Kent Vining and his wife Karen of Texas, Kirk Vining and his wife Pamela of Texas, Karla Clougherty and her husband Thomas of Hampton, NH, Kerri Vining of Manchester, NH, and Karen McDonnell of Rutland, Vermont. Walter’s children went on to give him 13 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. In 1984, Mr. Vining married his second wife, Shirley Potter-Weeks; who was a great comfort to him in the last years of his life. Walter also left behind his step-children Mark Weeks of Rutland, VT, Jeff Weeks of South Carolina, and Ericka Weeks-Lafontaine and her husband David of Rutland, VT; as well as the five grandchildren they gave Walt and Shirley. Walter worked for Sears Roebuck & Co for over 40 years. He was an award winning salesman, and a great asset to the company. He also owned and operated Thistle Dew Pottery Works in Ludlow, VT, along with his wife Shirley. Walt had a love for adventure and the great outdoors. In his younger years, Walt enjoyed scuba diving and deep sea fishing. He even carried a scar on his arm which he received from a shark during an excursion in the early 1960s. When Walter was not enjoying the sea, he was relishing the land. He loved to hike; especially portions of the Long Trail. For years, lucky hikers would find messages signed by one “Kestrel” in lean-to notebooks as to the location of ice cold brews in nearby creeks and rivers. This was only one of the many acts of kindness Walt (Kestrel) was known for. Walt loved all aspects of nature, and shared that passion with his children and step children; as well as sharing his knowledge with the Boy Scouts of America in Shrewsbury, VT where he was a scout leader. Walt’s knowledge of Mother Nature will live on in the lives he touched. There will be no formal funeral or memorial service. Donations in lieu of cards or flowers can be made in Walter’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org