Walter Smolenski Jr.

NICHOLSON, GA - On Friday, October 7, Walter “Ski” Smolenski Jr. died at age 82.
Born in 1940, Walter began life in Terryville, CT, the son of Bernice and Walter “Smokey” Smolenski. He attended Terryville High and participated in many school activities and clubs. After graduating he joined the Navy. He learned cooking onboard the ship. For a short while after returning home, he worked at New Departure’s Bristol, CT, plant. However he realized he preferred cooking to the factory and started his own catering service, Ski’s Catering, in his hometown.
Walter married and had one daughter. He found an opportunity to open a fusion casual and fine dining restaurant with an associate in Massachusetts.
After some time in Massachusetts, Walter moved to the Mount Snow area. He loved Vermont. Besides cooking at many local ski lodges, he played in a local band called Summer Squash. They entertained tourists and locals with their unique style, which included banter mixed into the music. They even cut an album called “Summer Squash.”
Walter never forgot his life and friends in Vermont after he and his wife Dee moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where they started a deli. Later they expanded the deli into a fine dining restaurant, The Esquire, in Conway, SC. Eventually, he became the chef at the Elks Lodge in Murrells Inlet, SC. People loved his Polish Night food specials and came from miles around.
Throughout his life, Walter loved tinkering with and driving autos. But his Harley-Davidson Ultra was his pride and joy. He rode up and down the East Coast, at Sturgis, and Yellowstone. He loved animals and owned horses, a pet goat, ducks and chickens, and assorted dogs. His little Maltese mix accompanied him everywhere. He loved to create, build and rebuild, garden, and tweak his house, and had a workshop full of tools. He spoke fondly of all the wonderful friends and family he was blessed with.
He leaves his daughter Sandra, her husband William, granddaughter Samantha, grandson Kristopher, and a plethora of family and friends.

The Deerfield Valley News

797 VT Route 100 North
Wilmington, VT 05363

Phone: 802-464-3388
Fax: 802-464-7255

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