Walter T. Raleigh
WILMINGTON- Walter Thomas (Chip) Raleigh, 69, died peacefully on Thursday, January 9 at his home surrounded by his beloved wife and children.
Mr. Raleigh was born December 15, 1951 to Walter D. and Alyce Raleigh, and grew up in Monson, MA. After high school graduation he enlisted in the US Navy and served on a submarine in the Pacific Ocean from 1969-1971. Following an honorable discharge he moved to Wilmington to work at Mount Snow. He met his wife Brenda (Adams) there and they were married on June 11, 1978.
Mr. Raleigh was a jack of all trades, and a man of many talents. After Mount Snow, he worked for the Vermont Department of Transportation , Adams Plumbing, lab operator at North Branch Fire District, nuclear security at Yankee Rowe, and for most of the last 20 years was a TT truck driver.
He made friends everywhere he went, with his own irreverent humor and his huge heart. He remained close to his childhood Boy Scout leader Al Wilcox and several troop mates all his life, even getting together for camping trips in recent years. He loved his Patriots, and coached every game from his recliner, right up to the last wildcard game on January 4. He kept his bracket by his side, and since August had the Seahawks and Pats picked for the Super Bowl. (Almost had it right – stay tuned!) If there was no football on, he was reading the latest Clive Cussler novel and adding it to his collection.Another passion was trout fishing, and he had his spot and his fishing buddies that gave him many hours of enjoyment. He loved sharing his 3-pound catches with friends over a campfire.
Above all else, he loved his family. He adored his wife Brenda; his children David (and Ashley) Raleigh and Rachel (and Jason Sprague); his grandchildren Thomas and JoAnna Raleigh (his “little Bumpkins”); and grandchildren at heart Alysza and Isaac Sprague.
Special memories include years of fishing the remote brooks in Somerset, jack jumping at Mount Snow, a cross-county trip in the big rig with daughter Rachel, being Boy Scout leader for his son Dave, Sunday coffee with the boys at C&S, scuba diving, playing piano, learning to fly airplanes with Bob North, and especially the years of road trips and camping with his family and enjoying the outdoors.
He will be sorely missed by many.
At his request there will be no services, and please, no flowers. If anyone wishes memorial donations can be made to Deerfield Valley Community Cares, PO Box 5, Wilmington, VT 05363; the Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, 1 National Life Drive, Dewey Building, Montpelier, VT 05620-3208; the Whitingham-Halifax Lions Club, c/o Dave and Terrie Dumaine, PO Box 217, 267 Academy Road, Jacksonville VT 05342; or Deerfield Valley Rescue, 22 Stowe Hill Road, Wilmington, VT 05363.
Assisting with arrangements is the Cremation Society of New Hampshire. To view the online tribute, send condolences to the family or for more information visit www.csnh.com.
