Walter J. VanDinter, Jr. Obituary (1975 - 2022)

Walter Wally J. VanDinter, Jr. age 47, a longtime resident of Lowell, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully in the arms of his loving wife JoLynn M. (Boissonneault) VanDinter, whom he would have celebrated 19 years of marriage this March. He was born in Lowell on February 10, 1975, and was the son of Walter and Marianne (Levasseur) VanDinter. Wally graduated from Greater Lowell Technical High School in 1993. A four-year varsity football player, he was a member of three Super Bowl Championship teams. He began working for UPS in 1992 and was a driver for 27 years. He was a pillar amongst his Teamster Brothers, which he represented for many years as Union Steward. He loved coaching his boys and was a fixture over the years with Lowell Junior League Football and Shedd Park Baseball. As a coach, he impacted many players through his encouragement and support. An incredible husband and father, Wally, cherished his time with his children and always made himself available for every event. Wally spent his winters skiing with his family and his summers riding his Harley Davidson with JoLynn.He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always the life of the party. Wally placed family, friends, love, and laughter as his priorities. Having him walk through your door was a pleasure and a gift. Without intent, simply out of his nature, he impacted many lives. He cared deeply for his wife and boys and championed them through any challenge. He loved children and was the definition of an Uncle, never failing to make a niece or nephew smile. A perfect instigator, he would tease with a smile and could fix everything with an embrace. He was meant to be shared; the many friends, the large family, and the memories they were able to have are priceless. He was a giant amongst men who left behind a void never to be filled. We pray all of you have a Wally in your life, but he was ours, and for that, we are grateful. In addition to his loving wife and parents, Walter is survived by his children, Travis and Nicholas VanDinter; his sister, Heidi A. Sandler and her husband Michael; his father-in-law, Normand Boissonneault; his mother-in-law, Joanne Leahy Sylvester; his brother-in-law, Neal Boissonneault and his wife Tanya; his sisters-in-law, Nicole White and her husband Greg, and Jaimie Boissonneault and her fianc Chris Bell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Walter is predeceased by his mother-in-laws husband, Charlie Sylvester. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2022, from 1 pm to 5 pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10 am at St. Michaels Parish, 543 Bridge Street, LOWELL. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, CHELMSFORD. For those who desire, memorial donations may be made to High Pointe Hospice House, 360 North Ave. Haverhill, MA 01830 or Dana Farber Cancer Institute Center for Neuro-Oncology, 450 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02215. Service Details Visitation When March 20, 2022 1:00pm - 5:00pm Location Dracut Funeral Home Address 2159 Lakeview Ave. Dracut, MA 01826 Interment When March 21, 2022 Location St. Joseph Cemetery Address 96 Riverneck Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 Funeral Mass When March 21, 2022 10:00am Location St. Michael Parish Address 543 Bridge Street Lowell, MA 01850