DUDLEY – Walter F. “Spinney” Spiewakowski died Monday, February 23, 2026, following a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, with his family by his side. He was 89. He resided in the Memory Care neighborhood in The Village at Willow Crossing in Mansfield. His beloved wife of 47 years, Janice E. “Jan” (Bougourd) Spiewakowski, died in 2009.
He leaves three sons, Stephen R. Spiewakowski and his wife Maria of Mansfield, Bruce D. Spiewakowski and his fiancée Heather Miller of Dudley, and Matthew F. Spiewakowski and his wife Carol of Carver; eight grandchildren, Erika, Ethan, Evan, Daniel, Abigail, Brett, Haley and Kylie; a great-granddaughter Skylar; two sisters, Theresa Kudron of Brookfield and Barbara Spiewakowski of Webster; a sister-in-law, Maryann Spiewakowski of Thompson, CT; several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death last year by his brother Francis “Spin” Spiewakowski and by his sister Dorothy Daviau.
He was born on July 10, 1936 in Webster, a son of Frank “Spinney” Spiewakowski and Catherine (Duszlak) Spiewakowski and lived in Webster and Dudley most of his life. It is rumored that, as a boy, he delivered the newspaper to the majority of the population of Webster. On his paper route, he stopped and shot baskets with legend Bob Cousy, when Cousy was still playing college basketball at Holy Cross College. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1954 where he was involved with student government, attended ‘Boys State” and was a star basketball player on the varsity team. He then earned an associate’s degree in accounting from Bryant College, and became the first college graduate in his family.
After graduation, Mr. Spiewakowski spent 2 years in the Army National Guard. Following that, he worked for a short time at WESO Radio as a disk jockey playing polka music on Sunday mornings. He then obtained a job at American Optical in Southbridge, where he worked for over 40 years in the accounts receivable department. It was here that he met the love of his life, Janice. He retired as a Branch Manager of Accounts receivable in 2002. He earned entry into the Quarter Century Club.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Dudley. He was a perpetual handyman and, in a classic man versus beast battle, was a fierce “sump- pump warrior”. He was a collector of both hand tools and power tools, with a particular affinity for rakes of all sizes and shapes, bequeathing many tools in mint condition. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the annual clambakes. He loved to give attention to his grand-dogs, and they loved him back. He loved camping at Walker Island in the Berkshires, and outdoor activities, especially working in his yard and raking leaves. He was the very definition of a “putterer”. He was a devoted fan of Boston athletic teams, particularly the Celtics and Bruins.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 9am to 11am, followed by a celebration of his life at 11:00 AM, at Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster ,MA. Pastor John R. White will officiate. The family requests that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379 (www.oldcolonyhospice.org).