Walter “Chassy” Teresko
(1929-1968)
He believed in sportsmanship, which is an investment in good citizenship.
By James VanBever
On May 2, 1945, Westford Academy pitcher Henry Belida threw the first no-hit, no-run game of the Greater Lowell baseball season in a 15-0 win over Littleton High School. However, it would be the last game that Belida would ever pitch for Westford Academy, since he would report for active duty in the United States Navy within a week. The catcher for that game was WA sophomore Walter Teresko.
Tragically, several months after the no-hitter, Walter Teresko would lose his arm in an industrial accident while working a summer job at the Abbot Mill in Graniteville. At the time of the accident, Walter was just 16 years old. Not only was he the catcher on the Academy baseball team, but he also starred in basketball and was a member of the very first Westford Academy football squad.
Following the accident, a charity baseball game was held in town between Pepperell and Forge Village to raise funds for Walter who was still recovering at St. Joseph’s hospital in Lowell. An article in The Lowell Sun referred to Teresko as a “splendid young fellow” and went on to say that “if ever the Greater-Lowell family are to show their sportsmanship, it’s tomorrow, when they attend to give in tribute to this nice little lad, Walter Teresko.”
Walter Patrick Teresko was born on May 7, 1929, to Wasil and Antonina “Annie” (Salay)Teresko in the Graniteville section of Westford. Both Wasil and Annie were born in Grodno, Russia, and came to the United States as young people and settled in Graniteville. Walter attended the Sargent School before entering Westford Academy.
Despite his accident, Walter did return to Westford Academy the following school year. Of course, due to his injuries his athletic career was over. Still, he was an active student and became president of the sophomore class. Walter Teresko graduated from Westford Academy In 1947. In the Westford Academy Clarion that year, the “Class Prophecy” looked ahead to the year 1955 and predicted that “Chassy” is now the class millionaire, have made his millions selling hand painted neckties (remember those orange ones he used to wear to class).
Following his graduation from Westford Academy, Chassy entered the Tilton School in Tilton, New Hampshire. At the time Walter entered Tilton, it was an all-boys preparatory school. He graduated from that school in June of 1948. At the commencement exercises it was said that there were “graduates and friends from all parts of the country.”
After graduating from Tilton School, Walter started classes at Burdett Business College in Boston, where he majored in accounting and business administration. Upon graduating from Burdett, Mr. Teresko became employed at the Colonial Brush Company in Boston where he eventually became assistant production manager.
Aside from Chassy’s career with the Colonial Brush Company, he was also involved in many town affairs that involved the youth of Westford. Walter became the president of the Westford Small Fry league, which was the forerunner to the current Westford little league. As president of the small fry league, he once said that “The small amount of time you spend with these boys gives them the opportunity to learn the value of team play and sportsmanship which is an investment in good citizenship.” “A big lesson at a mighty small cost.”
Walter was also a member of the Westford Recreation Committee and was instrumental in the formation of a town basketball league for junior high school boys and girls. He also became the Town of Westford’s chairperson with the Greater-Lowell United Fund and helped raise funds for local charitable causes.
Walter’s career as a tax collector began in September 1957 when Westford’s tax collector David I. Olsen abruptly resigned. At the time, the tax collector was an elected office and Teresko would serve in the office until the spring election. Nevertheless, Chassy went right to work in his new position and conducted office hours at his home on Maple Street.
Chassy did run for tax collector and was elected by a wide margin of 1,159 to 369 in the 1958 town election. He continued to be flexible in his office hours, conducting hours at the Westford Town Hall, the Nabnasset and Cameron School as well as his home in Graniteville.
In 1961, the town of Westford consolidated the treasurer and tax collector into one position. Walter assumed both jobs. Three years later at the annual Westford Town Meeting, Finance Committee Chairman Lawrence Johnson commented on Teresko’s performance that “Walter had done good work” and Selectman John Kavanagh stated that Walter Teresko had saved Westford a considerable amount of money through the years.”
Walter held his job as treasurer tax collector until his death on July 27, 1968. Paul MacMillan longtime Westford resident who knew Chassy recalled that on a hot July morning, Chassy was seal coating a neighbor’s driveway and died of a heart attack. Walter Patrick Teresko was 38 years old.
Following Chassy’s death, the Board of Selectman ordered all town flags flown at half-mast in Walter’s memory. They also closed the Town Hall on the morning of his funeral so that all town employees could attend. The Board of Selectman stated that it was “grieved at the loss of a most loyal and conscientious public servant.”
Walter P. Teresko was survived by his wife Claire, his three daughters Ann, Elaine, Dianne, and a son Walter. He was buried at Saint Catherine’s cemetery in Westford.
Sources:
Chelmsford Newsweekly, “Westford Town Meeting,” March 12, 1964, p.12.
Ibid. October 20, 1966, p. 11.
Lowell Sun, “Westford Ace Hurls No-Hit Game, 15-0”, May 2, 1945, p. 10.
Ibid. “The Lookout,” by Frank Moran, July 7, 1945, p. 18.
Ibid. “Two Graduate from Tilton,” June 7, 1948, p. 26.
Ibid. “Sun Brevities,” October 7, 1948.
Ibid. “Forge Village,” April 9, 1956, p. 9.
Ibid. “Engaged to Walter Teresko,” May 19, 1957.
Ibid. “Teresko New Tax Collector,” August 21, 1957, p. 1.
Ibid. “Westford,” September 17, 1957, p. 10.
Ibid. “Basketball,” October 29, 1958, p. 27.
Ibid. “Town of Westford Notice, October 30, 1958, p. 30.
Ibid. “In Memory,” July 29, 1968, p. 35.
Ibid, “Closed” July 30, 1968, p. 27.