General > Worcester Chit Chat
The Whistler Man
theblackprince:
I saw him many, many times. At first we called him "the whistler". He walked slowly and whistled beautifully. Years later I'd see him walking quickly and he'd no longer be whistling. This is when I'd see him with the sign attached to his back. I worked at Mercury Wire on Rt-9 in Spencer, just over the Leicester line. In summer we'd eat lunch on the loading dock with the shipping door open and we'd see him walk by. We'd yell "WALTER!!" and he would always acknowledge us.
jamsmanblue:
--- Quote from: (MAIDEN NAME Carolynn D.) was Towle on November 08, 2011, 05:56:16 PM ---wow the man i knew as the whistler same history as posted but didnt ...couldnt have died in 95...i saw him well after that and even way down here walking up putnam hill rd in sutton/manchaug ma. ...somewhere back in late 90's ...at least im pretty sure...i dont think it was as far back as 95 and if it was...omg time has stood still when you remember some folks
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jamsmanblue:
--- Quote from: Neil_H_Donahue on June 25, 2008, 06:58:44 PM ---The Whistler mans name was Walter Barch. He could walk backwards and hold a conversation with you while he was walking.. But he had to keep moving.. I believe he was from the Bell Hill neighborhood. I even saw him walking along route 9 around Breezy Bend in the Leicester, Spencer area. You are right about him being a piece of Worcester's history. I also remember he always wore a sign on his back with his name on it..I'm trying to pick my brain and a few others who also knew him. Thanks for the memory of the Whistler, Walter Barch.
Follow up.. His remaining years were at the Belmont Home. I have been told he is buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Otis Air Base. Walter was a WWII Veteran. Thank you Walter from all those Worcester residents who loved to hear you whistle. "TheFox"
Massachusetts National Cemetery link below
BURIED AT: SECTION 16 SITE 602
http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/massachuetts.asp
Walter Barch
Global ID 84522
sex male
division featherweight
height 5′ 4″ / 163cm
country USA
residence Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
birth place Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
won 9 (KO 3) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 1 = 10
rounds boxed 39 KO% 30
More links about Walter Barch below
Story about Walter in Spencer
http://www.wormtowntaxi.com/2007/09/kenwood-diner.html
A story by Tony Hmura about Walter in this link.
http://anthonyhmura.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-family.html
Read the story growing up .
Anthony Hmura.com...TheAZL.com*org: My Family
My friend Walter Barch, a top boxer in Massachusetts, used to train with me. Well...when I was drafted, and Walter enlisted, everything changed.
--- Quote from: Neil_H_Donahue on June 25, 2008, 06:58:44 PM ---The Whistler mans name was Walter Barch. He could walk backwards and hold a conversation with you while he was walking.. But he had to keep moving.. I believe he was from the Bell Hill neighborhood. I even saw him walking along route 9 around Breezy Bend in the Leicester, Spencer area. You are right about him being a piece of Worcester's history. I also remember he always wore a sign on his back with his name on it..I'm trying to pick my brain and a few others who also knew him. Thanks for the memory of the Whistler, Walter Barch.
Follow up.. His remaining years were at the Belmont Home. I have been told he is buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Otis Air Base. Walter was a WWII Veteran. Thank you Walter from all those Worcester residents who loved to hear you whistle. "TheFox"
Massachusetts National Cemetery link below
BURIED AT: SECTION 16 SITE 602
http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/massachuetts.asp
More links about Walter Barch below
Story about Walter in Spencer
http://www.wormtowntaxi.com/2007/09/kenwood-diner.html
A story by Tony Hmura about Walter in this link.
http://anthonyhmura.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-family.html
Read the story growing up .
Anthony Hmura.com...TheAZL.com*org: My Family
My friend Walter Barch, a top boxer in Massachusetts, used to train with me. Well...when I was drafted, and Walter enlisted, everything changed.
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jamsmanblue:
--- Quote from: PolishPryncess on June 23, 2008, 05:02:51 AM ---http://Hey guys!! True Worcester Resident born and raised (and still living here) but I have a question. Does anyone remember the guy that used to walk around EVERYWHERE whistling? I rmeember growing up on Millbury St. (When it was safe to live there) and everyday I would see him walk by and everyday he would stop and say hi to me and say I rememeber when I was a kid....he was so fun to see cause he would always whiste!! When we were inside and we heard the whistling...we would run out to say hi to him! He is a memory that will never leave my childhood growing up but I would like to know what ever happened to him. Can someone let me know? Thanks!
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