Obituary for Walter M. McGinnity
Arlington - Walter M. McGinnity, a longtime resident of Arlington and Cambridge passed away on March 22, 2024 surrounded by family. Walter and Judy McGinnity had four children, Bob (Christine) McGinnity of Northborough, Karen McElligott of Gold Coast Australia, Deb (Tom) Walsh of Boston, and Sue (Derek) O’Grady of Northborough. He was a beloved grandfather to Allison McGinnity, Kyle McGinnity, Robert McElligott, Ryan McElligott, Meaghan McElligott, Shannon McElligott, Bailey Walsh, Ramsey Walsh, Hannah O’Grady and Kirsty O’Grady and the beloved great grandfather to Hayden McGinnity, Blayke McGinnity and Tallulah McElligott. Walter was the son of the late Bernard M. and Alice M. (Sullivan) McGinnity. He is the brother of Bernie (Jean) McGinnity, the late Ronnie McGinnity and his wife MaryLou, George McGinnity and his late wife Anne, and Alice (Kevin) Fitzgerald. Walter is also survived by his loving nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Walter grew up in Cambridge and was well known for his athletic accomplishments in both baseball and hockey. He pursued his passion for baseball playing for the San Francisco Giants farm team in El Paso, TX. Walter continued his love for the sport by coaching many young athletes at Belmont Hill and various age groups in Belmont Youth Baseball. In addition to baseball, Walter was an avid runner for years. He instilled the love of sports in all of his children, ran road races with his daughters when they were young, and finished multiple Boston Marathons. Walter also loved spending time with family and friends and watching baseball, football and hockey. He was also an avid movie watcher.
For most of Walter’s adult life he worked at Brine's Sporting Goods in Harvard Square. He loved working at Brines and helping fitness enthusiasts of all sports. He was very well known in the Cambridge community and was always eager to help the locals find whatever they were looking for. He was the ultimate people person and loved interacting with anyone who came into the store.
Walter was a very sociable person who had many friends. We will all miss him dearly. He is now in peace with (as he always put it) “The Big Guy”.
A celebration of Walter’s life and Funeral Mass will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Walter may be made to Belmont Youth Baseball and Softball or your favorite local sports organization.
Walter grew up in Cambridge and was well known for his athletic accomplishments in both baseball and hockey. He pursued his passion for baseball playing for the San Francisco Giants farm team in El Paso, TX. Walter continued his love for the sport by coaching many young athletes at Belmont Hill and various age groups in Belmont Youth Baseball. In addition to baseball, Walter was an avid runner for years. He instilled the love of sports in all of his children, ran road races with his daughters when they were young, and finished multiple Boston Marathons. Walter also loved spending time with family and friends and watching baseball, football and hockey. He was also an avid movie watcher.
For most of Walter’s adult life he worked at Brine's Sporting Goods in Harvard Square. He loved working at Brines and helping fitness enthusiasts of all sports. He was very well known in the Cambridge community and was always eager to help the locals find whatever they were looking for. He was the ultimate people person and loved interacting with anyone who came into the store.
Walter was a very sociable person who had many friends. We will all miss him dearly. He is now in peace with (as he always put it) “The Big Guy”.
A celebration of Walter’s life and Funeral Mass will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Walter may be made to Belmont Youth Baseball and Softball or your favorite local sports organization.