Mr. Walter F. Mirka, of Taunton, died Monday, December 31 in Morton Hospital following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Agnes Ardell (Flood) Mirka. He was born 88 years ago in Taunton, the son of the late Andrew and Mary (Sarna) Mirka. He was educated in Taunton and had been a lifelong city resident. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed as a carpenter for Local 535 in Norwood. Walter was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Mediterranean Theatre and participating in the Invasion of Anzio. He was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Campaign Ribbon and the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Ribbon with 5 Stars. Before his enlistment, he was a proud member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was a member of the American Legion, the David F. Adams Post #611, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a Life Member of the Polish-American Citizens Club. As a young man, Walter was an outstanding athlete, excelling in baseball and later in fastpitch softball. He had many hobbies and interests during his life, and was always a very active person. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, gardening and many other activities, but his greatest interest was his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved them very much. Above all, Walter was a great and loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a communicant of the former Immaculate Conception Parish in Taunton.
He leaves: 2 sons: Edward Mirka and Andrew Mirka both of Taunton; 1 daughter: Maureen Lydon of Middleboro; 3 sisters: Alice Powers, Mary Mirka and Helen Jagolinzer, all of Raynham; 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was also the father of the late Michael Mirka of Dighton, and the brother of the late Frederick Mirka and Edmund Mirka.
Funeral services will be held from The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, 467 Bay Street, on Friday, January 4 at 9:00 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow in St. Jude the Apostle Church at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.