Walter J. Opolski, DDS

Services 3/4/2023 11AM SEE BELOW:

Walter Opolski passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on February 22 in the care of Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.  He was born on August 2, 1932 in Salem to the late Sophie (Stefanski) and Walter Opolski.  His 90 years were rich and full.

Walter attended St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, Boston College and Georgetown Dental School.

In 1956 after graduating from dental school, Walter served as an officer in the US Army.   He married Rena Michaud while stationed in Texas and then served as a dentist in Alaska where their first child, Diane, was born. After two years in Alaska, he was transferred to Ft. Devens, MA, where daughter Cathleen was born.

After his Army service, Walter settled in Danvers establishing a dental practice where he worked until he was 80 years old.  Sons Steven and Christopher joined the family during this time. He truly enjoyed his work and his patients, often treating generations of families over the years.

Throughout his life, examples of leadership, volunteerism and kindness abound:

- He was a 50-year member of the Mass. Dental Society and served as its President;

- Walter was a long-standing volunteer leader of the Boy Scouts, first serving on the troop level and eventually as council president, receiving many awards for his service. He loved taking his sons on camping trips with the troop;

- For more than 50 years, he generously provided dental care to the Sisters of Mount Carmel in Danvers, including training a few of the sisters to act as his assistant;

-As a member and Past President of the Danvers Rotary Club, Walter helped build the Rotary Pavilion that still stands on the grounds of the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers;

- He was always there to support ailing friends, long after they were able to share common activities together.

Later in life, Walter found love again with his beloved wife, Donna.  Together they enjoyed long-standing interests in swimming, skiing, golf, travel, performing arts, chop suey sandwiches at the Salem Willows and spending time with family. Most especially, Walter loved going to their home on North Pond in Maine.  It was his “happy place.”

Always active, Walter enjoyed gardening, playing softball with the Danvers Rotary Softball Team and golf, bowling and skiing with his special friends, the Nomads.

Walter is survived by his wife of 29 years, Donna Opolski; daughter Diane Gunn and partner Keith Russell of Magnolia, TX; daughter Cathleen Buntin of Greenfield, MA; son Steven Opolski and fiancé Donna Pisciotta of Ipswich, MA; son Christopher Opolski and partner Alexis Stifler of Walpole, MA; stepdaughter Maureen Mahoney and husband, Stephen, of Lynnfield, MA; stepson Christopher Gangi of Essex, MA; sister Dorothy Jodoin of Salem, MA and many nieces and nephews.

He loved being Grampy or Dziadzia (JaJa) to grandchildren Amanda Koenig and husband, Matthew, Nicholas Opolski, Alex Buntin, Tasha Buntin, Jacob Opolski, Katie Mahoney, Jimmy Mahoney and great-granddaughter, Zoey Koenig.

Walter is predeceased by his brothers Edward and Richard Opolski and son-in-law, Frank Buntin.

A service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, March 4 at the Carmelite Chapel, 15 Mount Carmel Road, Danvers, immediately followed by a celebration of life at Danversport Yacht Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, 15 Mount Carmel Road, Danvers, MA 01923 (www.carmelofdanvers.org) or Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Ste B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 (www.caredimensions.org) or The Boy Scouts of America (donations.scouting.org) Give to local, 01923, Campership Fund.

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