Alfred B. Walling, 92
Was U.S. veteran; physical education teacher

FITCHBURG - Alfred B. Walling, 92, of 935 John Fitch Highway, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, on his birthday, in the Highland's Longterm Care Center, after a long illness.

He was born in Champlain, N.Y. on Sept. 27, 1915, the son of the late William and Anna (Bredenberg) Walling and lived in New York State all of his life, before moving to this area in 2001.

Mr. Walling was a physical education teacher and later a principal for over 30 years in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District in New York.

He was a 1934 graduate of Woodmere High School in New York and received his Bachelor Degree in education from New York University in 1938 and his Master Degree in education administration from New York University in 1940. He was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fitchburg, the National Education Association and was an avid gardener.

Mr. Walling was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army as a physical therapy technician with the Medical Platoon of the 1853d Service Command Regional Hospital.

He leaves his wife of 68 years, Helen M. (Matthes) Walling; three daughters, Barbara F. Bender and her husband, Jim, of Ashburnham, Susan H. Pratt and her husband, Earl, of Lecanto, Fla., and Carolyn J. Daines and her husband, John, of St. Ives, England; one sister, Katherine Moomey of Pensacola, Fla.; six grandchildren, Stephen and Kevin Bender, Earl Pratt III, Christopher Pratt, and Robert and Rosamond Allen; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, William Walling Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, to be used for their youth programs, 1200 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

The Fitchburg Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Home directing arrangements.