Walter "Tobey" Kress

 Walter (Tobey) Kress passed away at his home in Westhampton, MA on Wednesday, January 2^nd, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born May 23, 1940 in Northampton, MA, the son of Walter P and Blanche (Bedard) Kress.

Walter graduated from Northampton High School in 1958. After graduation, he worked for several companies, including Gould Battery, Tobin Brothers, Courtesy Taxi and Coca Cola.

While working for Courtesy Taxi, he met his wife, Christine Cocco, while he was having coffee at Bess Eaton Donuts.  They were married a year later on Sept 16, 1967.

Walter started his career with the October Company in Easthampton as a manufacturing manager and then became the manager for Autumn Guild, a furniture accessory division of the October Company, from 1972 to 1988. His second career was with Northampton Ford from 1990 until his retirement in 2010.

Walter was an avid New York Giants fan, and also loved rooting for the Boston Red Sox.  As for his love of golf, he often could be found rooting for “Leftie” Phil Michelson.  In his younger years, he was very active in the Northampton Slow Pitch Softball league.  For vacations, he cherished time away on Cape Cod with Christine, enjoying the ocean together in Chatham, MA.  While Christine was hunting for shells on the beach, he could be found on the deck with a good book.  He was fond of Clive Cussler, Michael Connelly, James Patterson, and John Grisham as authors.

Walter was predeceased by his parents and his older brother George Hall from California.

He is survived by Christine, his wife of 51 years, his 2 children Walter (Tobey) Kress and wife Lisa of Liberty ME, Bethany Kress Wozniak and husband Joseph of Easthampton, MA.

Grandchildren Aaron Kress of Vassalboro, ME, Emmalyse Wozniak of Easthampton, MA, Amanda Emery of Burnham, ME, and Michael Burnham of Pittsfield, ME.

With Walter’s passion for reading, he supported the Westhampton Library. If you like to support his love of literacy, donations can be made to the Westhampton Public Library in Westhampton, MA.

In lieu of a wake or funeral service, Walter had requested A Celebration of Life Gathering.

Please come to pay your respects on Monday, January 7^th from 2pm to 4pm in the Meeting Room at Homewood Suites, 375 Whitney Ave, Holyoke, MA (across I-91 from Holyoke Mall).

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