On Sunday March 12, 2023, at 92 years old, Walter passed away peacefully at a vacation home in Bokeelia, Florida, surrounded by his family. Walter was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up with his brothers in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He attended Roxborough Junior High and Cleveland Heights High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Western Reserve College after completing a tour of service in Korea from 1953-1954. He met his wife, Irene at a party for one of her friends and they were married less than a year later on September 22, 1957. They were married for 62 years.
Walter worked as an office manager in Cleveland for the marine construction company Merritt-Chapman and Scott, later Dunbar and Sullivan Dredging Company. He enjoyed hearing stories of the workers who made their living as divers and boat crew out on the Lakes. He spent the later part of his career at the Whiskey Island site on the Cuyahoga River, taking his family on boat rides and yard tours.
Walter’s passions in his life were his family and the outdoors. Weekends were often spent at the cottage at Lake Cardinal in Rome, Ohio. He and his father, Harvey, taught his daughters, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and family friends how to paddle a canoe, catch frogs and even hunt for the rare, Massasauga rattlesnake. He would drive 4th of July guests on safaris in the ‘48 Willy’s Jeep. “Look out! No brakes” he would call out as we rolled down the hill to the point toward the water. Those who have gone on those safaris know how it ends.
Walter also showed his children and neighbors the wonders of nature by leading hikes in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks which adjoin their property. After school or on weekends, many hours were spent hiking to the old cabin, along the “hogs back”, to the waterfall and later the beaver dam. “First one up the hill gets a Coke” was his challenge.
Once a year, in the fall, he and Irene would pack up their three girls in the station wagon and make the drive from Cleveland to Islamorada, Florida where they boated, fished, beachcombed, searched for lobsters in the ocean and hunted for treasure on Indian Key. Calmer days meant voyages to Alligator lighthouse, where barracuda were sought. Windy days were spent on the Gulf, catching blue crab, exploring the islands or digging on Indian Key.
Walter and Irene were fond of hosting neighborhood clambakes in the fall. Walter would buy clams from a fish market in the Flats, build a huge fire and invite family and neighbors over for a feast of clams, vegetables, chicken and, occasionally, lobster. The clambake was held in their yard in Gates Mills and was generally an all-day event, with participation from everyone.
Walter was predeceased by his daughter, Kathryn Jean Wilber (Daryl), his brothers Robert and Roland (Jane), his parents: Harvey G. Oliver and Marjorie Oliver (nee Dunmore). Walter is survived by two of his daughters: Susan Oliver Dahod (Samun) and Barbara Oliver Harrington (Richard); his grandchildren Christopher G. Wilber (Ciara), Michael D. Wilber, Matthew T. Wilber, Elizabeth D. Godin, Jennifer M. Godin (Ryan Dohrn) and Rebecca L. Godin; step-granddaughter Haley Jaynes Wilber (Dylan Brown); and great-granddaughters: Makayla K. Wilber and Laura R. Wilber. Walter also had many nieces and nephews who learned from and laughed with him.
A Celebration of Life for both Walter and Irene will be held outdoors at their home, 524 Riverview Rd. Gates Mills, Ohio, this Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm with the ceremony beginning at 2:30pm.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Gates Mills Land Conservancy in their name – which seeks to preserve our natural lands – at https://www.gatesmillslandconservancy.org/support-gmlc
Please post your favorite memory of Irene and/ or Walter for our Memory Book on the DiCicco & Sons website: www.diciccoandsonsfh.com
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