Harry L. Walker Jr

Harry L. Walker, Jr., of Middletown, RI, passed away Friday, January 2, 2015, in the Providence VA Medical Center with his family at his side. He was born in Newport, RI, on July 2, 1932, the son of the late Harry L. and Lena A. (Tougas) Walker. For 33 years, he was the loving partner of Kathie Semenchuk. He graduated from De La Salle Academy in 1950, where he was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams as well as the Glee Club. He attended Providence College and volunteered for the Army in November 1952, receiving his draft notice in the mail later the same day.After four months of basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, he went to Korea in the spring of 1953. He was honorably discharged in September 1954 attaining the rank of Sargent. For his service overseas in Korea, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.Harry went to work at Wamcowa Corp. in 1955. In 1960, he secured employment at Raytheon Co. as a technical writer, retiring in May 1992. Harry enjoyed his part-time job at Carnegie Abbey Golf Club. He played baseball in the Sunset League and later softball for the Newport City League for many years. He was also a lifeguard at Easton's Beach for several summers as a young man. Later in life, he was a summer fixture at Surfer's End at Second Beach and looked forward to his yearly winter trips to Cancun, Mexico. Harry was a member of the Newport Polar Bears (year round swimmers) at Easton's Beach for 48 years, taking his last cold-weather dip on New Year's Day 2008 at age 76. He was also a long-time member of the Elks Lodge, Newport. He will be missed by family and friends, including all of his Hillside Caf and Green Valley Country Club buddiesHe is survived by his son, Harry L. Walker, III and his wife Judi of Portsmouth, RI, a daughter, Liz Rosenthal and her husband Ken of Middletown, RI, four granddaughters, Sherri Walker of Daly City, CA; Kristin Walker of Portsmouth, RI; and Haley Rosenthal and Elise Rosenthal of Middletown, RI, three great-grandchildren, Stephen Alix and Dylan and Alanah Eberhard of Portsmouth. He was also the uncle of many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Harry was the brother of the late Joseph A. Walker. He was formerly married to Shirley Walker of Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, from 4-7PM, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 9AM, at the Memorial Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Spring St., Newport.Burial will follow in the Middletown Cemetery.Donations in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517Topeka, Kansas 66675. Cemetery Details Middletown Four Corners Cemetery Turner and Wyatt Roads Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation JAN 7. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service JAN 8. 10:00 AM St. Marys Catholic Church 12 William Street Newport, RI, US, 02840