Walter L. (Walt) Rice

Walter L. "Walt" Rice, 69, died Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at home.

Walt was born in Hawley, MA on July 19, 1946 the son of David and Lida (Maynard) Rice.

Prior to retirement in 2009, he was employed as the Northeast Regional Track Manager for the Boston & Maine Railroad. He worked for the railroad for 40 years, and after retirement he assumed the position of consultant for the high speed rail project for the Vermonter.

Walt was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, cutting wood, logging and sugaring. He was on the cover of the Making of Massachusetts Maple Syrup with his team of horses while collecting sap for sugaring. He was also in a feature article about the Mohawk Trail in the September 2014 edition of Yankee magazine.

Walt lived life to the fullest and was grateful every day for his family and friends. He enjoyed visiting with people and had a nickname for everyone ! He looked forward to traveling to the Fryeburg Fair in Maine every year.

In earlier years he coached Babe Ruth Baseball, played softball with the VFW Post 8503 team in the Mohawk League, and also played Senior Ball.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, the former Betty (Knower) Rice, his son Brian W. Rice and his partner Maggie Parsons of Buckland, two daughters; Beth Ann Rice and her fiancé Paul Curtis of Erving, Karen Lynn Doyle and her husband Padraic of Ashfield, three brothers; George Rice of Hawley, Roger Rice of Ashfield, David Rice of Charlemont, a sister Paula Rice of Charlemont, seven grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

There are no formal services.

Visiting hours will be Saturday, May 7 from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls.

Following visiting hours, there will be a celebration of Walt's life from 3:30 to 6:30 pm at the Mohawk Park Restaurant in Charlemont.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested memorial contributions be made to the MSA Coalition and Research Fund, 9935-D Rea Rd. #212, Charlotte, NC 28277

Walt's family would like to thank Dr. Jacome and Dr. Iverson for their care and support of Walt in the past months. 

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