Walter Henry Fender

Walter Henry Fender, of Marshfield Massachusetts, passed away on October 3, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 16, 1940, in Melrose Massachusetts, the oldest of four children born to William and Marie (Davies) Fender.

Walter grew up enjoying both school and sports. His build made him a natural fit as a lineman in football and thrower in track and field in high school. He attended University of New Hampshire, where he continued with football as a tackle and became captain of the track and field team. Although he pursued his bachelors degree in engineering as his career, English was actually his favorite subject. He loved to read “The Great Books” and classic literature. He later earned his master’s, MBA degree from Suffolk University.

While at UNH, Walter met Janet Machugh, who would become his wife and lifelong partner of 63 years. The two married before Walter’s deployment and went on to build a life and family together. After graduating from UNH, Walter was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for four years with an engineering battalion and later assisted with amphibious beach-landing operations. He was stationed at Quantico, Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton.

While in the service he especially enjoyed marksmanship, an interest with deep roots in his family. Walter’s maternal great grandfather, Charles E. Davies of Andover, Massachusetts, is recognized as one of the early pioneers of skeet shooting and the inventor of the skeet game as we know it. That early connection grew into a lifelong interest of Walter’s. He enjoyed marksmanship not only as a Marine, but also as something he continued to watch, practice and share as he got older.

After leaving the Marines, Walter began a long career as a civil engineer with Fay Spofford and Thorndike in Boston & Burlington, in addition to his time at Dravo Corp. His work included locks & dams, waterways and major infrastructure projects, including work on & reconstruction of the waterfront in Boston. He eventually joined the Town of Marshfield as the town engineer and finished his career as head of the Department of Public Works.

Walter had a full life as an athlete, Marine, engineer and public servant, but what mattered most to him was his family. He was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather whose strength, loyalty, quiet presence and love were shown much more through what he did than what he said. He never needed to be the loudest person in the room to make his presence felt. Those of us who knew and loved him will miss that presence very much. Walter was a big man, but anyone who knew him knew he was really a gentle giant.

Walter was quiet, patient, slow to anger, and observant. He was much more likely to listen to a conversation than lead one. When Walter did speak, you knew he had been paying attention. Walter once described Janet as the “yin to his yang,” which captured the way they complemented one another beautifully. Janet was one to draw him into a conversation and encourage him to share what was on his mind. It was a familiar part of their relationship and one of the many ways they balanced each other over the years. Together they raised five children: Greg, Suzanne, Walter Jr., Julie and Eric.

Walter loved the outdoors and he passed that love on to his children. He especially loved the ocean and spent much of his time swimming, body surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, spearfishing, lobstering, sailing, windsurfing and gardening. Summers for the Fender family meant the beach, often nearly every day from May through September. In the fall Walter was a devoted New England Patriot’s fan even long before their championship years, sticking with the team through plenty of seasons when being a Patriots fan wasn’t nearly as much fun. In the winter he loved skiing and spent many years enjoying the mountains with family and friends.

In retirement Walter was able to join Janet more in their garden. He spent hours building raised beds, trellises, birdhouses and helping to grow their garden. The garden provided the perfect supply chain for his skills at being a sous chef in the kitchen. Walter enjoyed the simpler things such as relaxing at his oceanside home, watching television, following sports and playing cards. He was an animal lover who enjoyed the company of the family’s cat, Milly, who loved to ride perched on his walker, as his ability to walk declined. Above all, Walter cherished the family with whom he shared his life.

Walter is survived by his wife Janet Fender, their five children and partners - Greg and Maureen Fender, Suzanne and Matthew Boynton, Walter Jr and Janice Fender, Julie Fender and Dan Zobel and Eric and Renee Fender, grandchildren - Lauren Fender, Stacia Boynton, Tyler Fender, Miranda Boynton, Sarah Fender, Geoffrey Fender, Cole Fender and Emma Fender, great grandchildren - Ambrose Fender, Joseph, Rosemary and Victoria Belisimo, and Quinn Fender, his siblings - Becky Mulkern and Billy Fender. Walter was predeceased by his sister Marilyn Babine, parents Marie (Davies) Fender & William Fender, and grand parents Evelyn and Charles Davies

The family would like to thank the many in-home caregivers, Veterans Association, Croi Hospice & the medical professionals who helped navigate the complex challenges he was faced with! We could not have given him the comfort and peace of being at home during this time without their support.

A church service with military honors for Walter will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at First Parish Church, 842 Tremont St, Duxbury, MA 02332.

The family also welcomes you to join them for a casual garden side gathering at The Magical Moon Farm, 575 Summer Street in Marshfield, to share memories of Walter’s life on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter's memory are welcome at: https://www.magicalmoon.org/donate