Walter Frederick Filios passed away peacefully Friday, July 12, 2024 due to complications from diabetes. He was born Mar. 8, 1956, in Northampton MA, to Norma (Dick) and Frederick Filios. Walter grew up primarily in Amherst MA, with the exception of two years when his family resided in Panama. He attended Amherst Regional High School for one year, but graduated from St. Michael’s High School in Northampton MA in 1974. In his teen years he ran a paper route from Hastings Stationary store in Amherst, worked at Flavortown restaurant, and was a member of the Boy Scout troop 503.

After high school, he attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton Michigan for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After basic training Walter completed combat engineer training at Fort Leonard Wooden MO. Walter was then stationed in Bamburg, Germany where he attained the rank of Specialist 4. Unfortunately, Walter was then diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, resulting in his medical discharge from the Army. However, Walter remained a proud veteran for the rest of his life.

Returning to Amherst Walter worked at several jobs while also learning to be a sound technician for musical acts. In 1978 Walter moved to Santa Cruz, California as the sound technician for The Ernie Buck Band. While the band had some success Walter found he needed to pursue other employment and he worked for several years  – first as an electrical technician for Seagate Technology, and then as an environmental technician before returning to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration at California State University, Stanislaus. 

In 1990 Walter returned to Massachusetts to join the family small site engineering business, Filios Enterprises, and to serve as the general contractor, helping his father and mother build their retirement home. He also found further employment in Greenfield MA as a land surveyor.

Returning to California in 1993 Walter continued to work as a land surveyor until his diabetes began causing progressive blindness and resulted in him becoming disabled and unable to work.

While in California he met his wife Suzanne (Porter) Filios, whom he married in 2011 at a ceremony at Yosemite National Park attended by his family and friends. In 2014 Walter and Suzanne moved to first Gulfport and then Long Beach MS, residing there until his death.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Suzanne of Long Beach MS, his 7 remaining siblings: Kathryn Finn of Amherst, Paul and wife Krys of Alexandria, Virginia, Teresa Korpita and husband John of Sunderland, William and wife Larissa of Malden, Marita Magnant and husband Gary of Topsfield, Elizabeth Tyler and husband William of Hadley, and Laurie Blanchard and husband Daniel of Southborough; as well as his 20 nieces and nephews, Michael, Danette, Bridget, Socorro, and Teresa, children of Kathryn; Kimberly, Jason, Sarah, Paula, and Patrick, children of Paul; Ksenia and Marina, children of Teresa; Salvatore, son of William; Ross, Sage, and Grace, children of Marita; John and Kathryn, children of Elizabeth; and Georgieanna and Annabel, children of Laurie; and five great-nieces and great-nephews, Emili, Sophia, Jonathan, Leonardo, and Raphael from the Finn family; and his aunt Judy Dick of Bradenton, Florida; as well as many cousins.

A graveside service and burial will be held at St. Brigid’s Cemetery (85 North Maple Street, Hadley, MA) at 10:00 AM, Friday, August 2^nd, with a celebration of life following at 11:30 AM at the Amherst Public House (40 University Drive, Amherst, MA).

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com