David A. Walls

David A. Walls, 82, of East Hartford passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Jacqueline (Moran) Walls. He is survived by his wife, Jackie, his daughter, Kathleen Altieri and her husband, John, of New Britain; his three sons, Michael Walls and his wife, Debbie of East Hartford, Steven Walls and his wife, Gail, of Plainville, John David Walls and his wife, Debbie Beaulieu of East Hartford. Dave was born in Brockton, MA and raised in Rockland, MA. The son of Magorisk “Go” and Elsie (Ames) Walls, he was a graduate of Rockland High School, Class of 1948 and of Westfield State College in Westfield, MA, Class of 1952. He also attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA. In addition, he received his Master’s Degree from Hillyer College (University of Hartford) and attended classes at Central Connecticut State University while studying for his sixth year. In high school, Dave played football, basketball, baseball and track. While at Northeastern University and Westfield State he played on the college basketball teams. Dave was employed for 35 years as a teacher/principal for The East Hartford Board of Education. In 1986 his school, Silver Lane Elementary, was selected as one of the outstanding schools in CT, and in 1987 Dave was selected as The National Distinguished Principal of the year by his peers and represented Connecticut, and East Hartford in Washington D.C. In 1952 shortly after graduation from Westfield State, Dave married Jackie and they settled in East Hartford. Two months later he was called to active duty into the United States Army where he served for two years during the Korean War. Upon his return, Dave went back to teaching in East Hartford. He taught for 18 years in grades ranging from four to eight. In 1969 he was appointed principal at South Grammar Elementary School; followed by Willowbrook Elementary School and finally Silver Lane Elementary School. Dave was active in community affairs. He volunteered for eleven years in the Little League and Babe Ruth League, East Hartford as an umpire. He worked for The East Hartford Park Dept. for many years in various assignments and he was the coordinator of the teen dances at Sunset Ridge for high school students. In addition, he was a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America. He prepared The Eagle Award Candidates to meet the criteria necessary for success in reaching their goal. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #2138, Rocky Hill. Dave interests were numerous and diversified. He enjoyed sports of all kinds, as a spectator and participant. He golfed and bowled until his demise. He showed an interest in all kinds of music. He particularly enjoyed the Broadway stage and opera. He was a member of the CT Opera Guild and had participated in two operas, Aida and Turandot. Besides his family, Dave had one other great interest – traveling. He had been on 32 cruises, had visited 43 countries, 6 continents and all 50 states. In addition to his wife of over 60 years and his four children, Dave leaves his five grandchildren, Sarah, Kyle David, Katie and her fiancé, Brian Harris, Nina and Matthew; two sisters, Margaret Allen of Scituate, MA, Catherine Chase and her husband Jim of Portland, ME and two brothers Richard of Rockland, MA and Gerald and his wife Eileen of Abington, MA. He also left behind his sisters-in-law and their husbands, Carol and Herb Wood, Charles and Mary Breau, both of Westfield, MA and Karen and Alan Leisegang of Colorado; a great friend, Barbara Mahoney, of Wethersfield; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Besides his parents, Dave was predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Littlefield of Rockland, MA and his brothers, Magorisk “Buzz” Walls of Rockland, MA and Thomas Walls of Abington, MA. Funeral services will be Saturday (March 16th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Peace Church, May Road/Brandon Road, East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Saturday morning). Burial with military honors will follow at Veteran’s Memorial Field-Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Dave’s family will receive friends and relatives at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Friday (March 15th) from 3-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dave’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Deane Hwy, 2nd Floor, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.