Walter Smigal

Walter Smigal, 88, of Chula Vista, California, passed away on April 30, 2022, at the San Diego VA hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Sunday, June 5, at Glen Abby. The burial service will follow at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 7, at Miramar National Cemetery.

Walter was born in Albert, West Virginia, to Alexander and Anna Smigal on March 25, 1934. Walter’s parents were Polish immigrants to the United States entering through Ellis Island. His father would settle in the hills of West Virginia to work in the coal mines, marry Anna, and raise a family. Walter is the youngest of six siblings, four brothers and one sister. His family eventually moved to Davis, West Virginia, where Walter graduated from Davis High School in 1953. Upon high school graduation, Walter joined the U.S Navy, where he served 23 years and retired in 1977. When stationed in Holy Loch, Scotland, Walter met his wife, Margaret Murdoch, while taking a July Saturday afternoon motorcycle ride through the Scottish countryside. Along Loch Striven, he would find Margaret and her pal Marjie walking to Tighnabruaich. From this first meeting and after several fortunate turn of events, they were married on December 29, 1962, at the Redhouse St. John Lutheran Church, Maryland. Walter and Margaret would raise a family of three children while moving all over with a tour back in Scotland and Spain and stints at Groton, Connecticut - Portsmith, Virginia - and Orlando, Florida. After retiring from the Navy in 1977, Walter and his family moved to Chula Vista, California, where he worked for the Chula Vista School District for 19 years, becoming the head custodian for Chula Vista Jr. High. Walter’s life journey had many ups and downs, but an achievement he was proud of was his sobriety. Walter was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 47 years. Walter loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They always brought that distinctive smile and joy to him as each one came into his presence. All will miss Big Papa.

Walter is preceded by all his siblings: Frank, Henry, William, Deloris, and Alexander.

Walter is survived by his wife, Margaret, and his three children, John, Margaret (Peggy), and Alana. Six grandchildren: Tony, Seana, Alan, Megan, Mari, and Alexander. Three great-grandchildren: Joshua, Grace, and Joseph.