Walter F. Bartlett

Walter Frank Bartlett, 92, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2015 at the Town and Country Health Care Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. Walter was born in Marblehead on May 30 1923, graduated from Marblehead High School in 1941, and enlisted soon thereafter in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served on several Coast Guard ships during World War II, and participated in the rescue of survivors of the torpedoed vessels, “Mallory” and “Kalliopi” while serving aboard the USCG Cutter “Bibb” near Greenland. While aboard the “Northland”, he participated in the capture of an armed German trawler and German weather stations.

Walter taught at the USCG Academy in New London in 1950, and served on several Coast Guard cutters in the following years. He worked for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company from 1955 to 1957. In 1960 he was assigned to the Atlantic Area Inspector’s Office in New York City, and from 1963 to 1966 served aboard the USCGC “Escanaba” out of New Bedford. In the late sixties, he served as the Chief of Boating Safety at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C., after which he was assigned as Captain of the Cutter “Yakutat” which was deployed to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he worked alongside a South Vietnamese Commander and crew before ultimately turning the ship over to the South Vietnamese Navy. After returning from Vietnam, he commanded the USCGC “Sherman” out of Boston.

Walter retired from the Coast Guard in 1975 with the rank of Captain, after which he worked first for Boston Fuel Transportation Company, and then for the Merchant Marine, earning his Master’s License for unlimited tonnage and continuing to spend months at sea. Walter’s military awards include the Bronze Star, and many campaign medals and unit citations. He was awarded the Armed Forces Honor Medal (first class) by the South Vietnamese. Walter was a 32nd degree mason in the Philanthropic Lodge F. & A.M. in Marblehead and a Shriner. He was a life member of the VFW Post 2005 in Marblehead, and a longtime member of the U.S. Naval Institute.

Walter loved the sea, and was truly in his element on board a boat. He loved fishing and sailing in Marblehead, and meticulously cared for his Grand Banks Dory, which was moored in Salem Harbor for many summers. When he was ashore, he enjoyed spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed cookouts that featured the “catch of the day”, after a successful fishing trip.

Walter married the late Wanda (Price) Bartlett in 1945 in Stamford, Connecticut, raising four children together while moving a number of times throughout his career. He is survived by Mary Jane (Tina) Bartlett of Seabrook, NH, his wife of 29 years, and also by his brother, Sumner Bartlett (Margareta) of Marblehead, his sister, Nancy Miller of Swampscott, his children Rand Bartlett of Marblehead, Sandra Wallace of Wanette, OK, Virginia Bartlett Parsons of Irvington, NY, and Pamela Bartlett of Northampton, MA. Also, his grandchildren Jennifer Frank of Purcell, OK, Christina Stockdale of Lexington, OK, George Parsons of Baltimore, MD, Abigail Parsons of Costa Mesa, CA. Also his great grandchildren Kimberley Logan of Purcell, OK, Kyle Frank of Shawnee, OK, Tyler Stockdale, John Stockdale, and Jesse Stockdale of Lexington, OK. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Step children: Kathy Rowe, Richard Moore, Deborah Parisi and Sharon Sousa: Step Grandchildren: Cory Moore, Kyle Moore, Christina Parisi, Stephanie Parisi, Edward Sousa and Justin Sousa.

A graveside service with honors will be held in Waterside Cemetery, 294 West Shore Drive, Marblehead on Monday, October 5 at 1:30PM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.