Walter J. McGinness of Winthrop St., Winthrop passed away on September 21, 2015.  He was 95 years old.  Born in Boston, he was the beloved son of the late Mary (Stanton) and William McGinness.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Albert, Frank, William, Edward and his sister Marion.  A resident of Winthrop since 1964, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on September 28, 1939 and served until June 19, 1946.  Before WWII started Walter’s ship transported British troops to different countries to try to stop the Germans.  While at sea he learned many of the British war songs, such as “Bless them All.”  Because he enlisted while the United States was neutral he received a Neutrality medal for the work he did before the United States entered the war.

Once the United States was involved in the war, Walter was transferred to the U.S.S. Joseph T. Dickman.  He was in the invasion of North Africa on November 8, 1940.  During the invasion three German u-boats torpedoed and sank three of the American ally ships.  Luckily, the U.S.S. Dickman was not hit and managed to get away without a scratch. 

During his time at sea Walter visited; Bermuda, Capetown South Africa, Bombay, Casablanca, San Salvador, the Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Mediterranean Sea.  Walter was interviewed on the radio during the war about what he had experienced.

When the U.S.S. Dickman crossed the equator Walter and the rest of the crew received a certificate stating that they had crossed the equator.  Walter also received the Medal of Neutrality, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign, Asian-Pacific Campaign, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign, and American Defense.

Although WWII was more than 60 years ago it was so much a part of his life.  He was so proud to be an American and he always said, “The United States is the greatest country in the world.”

After his honorable discharge he worked for many years for the Boston Public school system and the United States Post Office.  He was a member of the VFW Beachmont, the Revere Lodge of Elks and the Chelsea Moose Club.

He was the devoted husband of the late Catherine (Mortimer) and the loving father of JoAnn Marshall and her husband Dennis of Sandwich, Walter and his wife Lois of Andover, William McGinness of Winthrop and Edward McGinness and his husband Dayne of San Diego.  Cherished grandfather of Ellen and Colleen Marshall of Sandwich, and Meagan and Katie McGinness of Andover.

Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the funeral home on Friday, September 25, 2015 for 4:00 to 8:00 PM.  The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral mass in St. John the Evangelist Church 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10:00 AM.  Interment to follow the mass in the Cross St. section of Winthrop Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Advancement Office, 3rd Floor, 17 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108

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