Walter Edwin Daniel

Walter Edwin Daniel was born in Plymouth, Montserrat on November 17, 1933 to John Richard Daniel and Margaret Elizabeth Daniel (nee Daly). Also born that day was his twin sister Irene Isles (nee Daniel). They lived in the village of St. John’s and attended the St. John’s Anglican Church.

Walter attended the St. John’s Primary school, where his father John Richard Daniel served as principal after returning from Codrington College in Barbados. He went on to attend the Montserrat Secondary school before working for several years for the Public Works Department in Plymouth.

Walter and his sister Irene emigrated to the United States in 1952, settling in New York and staying with family before finding their own place to live. During this time, they connected with and visited with family in Boston. They subsequently decided to move to Boston and shortly thereafter, Walter joined the United States Army where he served for several years.

Walter returned and set up permanent roots in Boston at which point he met and married Irene Molyneaux. Walter worked as a machinist and became deeply involved in the United Auto Workers Union. He thereafter began his decades-long career working for Boston Mutual Life Insurance rising through the ranks to become a district manager. He won countless awards during his time, was known for his affable nature, strong work ethic and commitment to helping others succeed. Walter retired from Boston Mutual after a long and transformative career.

Walter was deeply involved with the Anglican and Episcopal church throughout his life. From a strong foundation of prayer and faith instilled in him by his parents, he went on to have a meaningful and impactful career as a lay person. Most significantly, he joined St. Johns St. James Episcopal Church in Roxbury. He served as the Senior Warden for upwards of thirty years and was instrumental to the growth of the church and development of new lay and ordained leaders. He also supported the thriving of the St. James’ Educational Center and the Paige School, ministries that educated local youth. Recognizing his leadership, consecutive Bishops of the Diocese of Massachusetts called Walter to serve on the councils of the church including on the Standing Committee of the Diocese.  Walter was also involved with the Union of Black Episcopalians, serving as the president of the Massachusetts Chapter, taking groups to the national conferences and pushing the Union and the broader church to racial justice.

Walter was highly engaged politically and communally. While with the United Auto Workers, he became involved with voter registration work alongside then-organizer Byron Rushing. He went on to play an instrumental role in the latter’s election and career in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Walter became a foundational leader with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and served on the board of Roxbury Community College in his ongoing quest to invest in the next generation.

In his free time, Walter had many pursuits. He visited Montserrat on a very regular basis and was deeply involved with Montserrat affairs in Boston. Walter enjoyed banter using ham radios and built friendships throughout the country. As a youth, Walter was an excellent football (soccer) player and transitioned to becoming a swimmer, regularly swimming 500+ meters each day well into his sixties. Most of all, Walter was a committed and loving father to his daughter Arlene along with his sons John and Edwin. As the consummate family man, Walter was often the one who represented the family at important events, he prioritized building and maintaining our connections and was described by many as the strength of our family. His booming laughter, his warm embraces and his deep affection made us all feel deeply loved. Deeply devoted to his twin sister Irene, they spoke every morning up till his passing and were never apart for more than two weeks at a time.

Walter was predeceased by his wife Irene, née Molyneaux, his parents, and his brothers Eddie and Kenneth. He leaves to mourn his passing, his children Arlene, John (Yamisi) and Edwin (Susan), his grandsons Ty, Francisco and Santiago, his sisters, Irene, Mildred, Millicent, his brothers, Harold and Joseph, and his companion Vilma Johnson, as well as a host of relatives and friends.

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