Walter A. Gairing, lifelong resident of Wadsworth, passed away May 7, 2017.   He was born in Wadsworth on May 4, 1932, to the late Dan and Alice (Mullen) Gairing.

Walt was an active member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Wadsworth and served on various councils and committees over the years.   He graduated from Wadsworth High School with the "Nifty Class of 50" and was a loyal alumni of University of Dayton, graduating in 1954, with a degree in Industrial Engineering.   After military service, he returned to Wadsworth to be Superintendent of the Wadsworth Foundry Company.

Walt worked in the foundry business for 39 years and, for many of those years, was also a general partner and President of the L & G Real Estate Development industrial complex in Wadsworth.   He led a life of love and service to his family, his church and his community.   Walt was elected to several terms on Wadsworth City Council, most active in Economic Development, and then continued to serve the city on the Planning Commission.   His passion for the City of Wadsworth culminated in being awarded a Key to the City in 2012.

He enjoyed membership on the Board of The Salvation Army of Wadsworth and was a member of the Lions Club, Gyro Club, Chamber of Commerce, and was a past president of the Canton Chapter of the American Foundrymen's Society.   Walt delighted in time spent with family and friends, most especially family vacations and fishing trips with the guys.   He was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wadsworth Grizzlies.

Walter was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Gairing and brothers-in-law, James Couch and Richard McEntee.   He is survived by his wife, Betty of nearly 55 years; and children, Dan (Vicki) Gairing of Strongsville, Kathy (Bob) Calhoun of Wadsworth, Bob (Audrey) Gairing of Wadsworth, Leslie (Dan) Miller of Rogers, M.N., Tom (Tracey) Gairing of Twinsburg and Chris (Dr. Joe) Keller of Uniontown;  grandchildren Kaitlin and Melissa (fiancé Brandon Collins) Gairing, Tom and Jim Calhoun, Sarah and Stephen Gairing, Nick, Jay and Allison Miller, Tyler and Tara Gairing, and Lauren, Abby and Hannah Keller;  sister, Rita Couch;  sister-in-law, Mary Lou (Ralph) Pisanelli; and brother-in-law, Jerry McEntee.

The family wishes to express thanks to the nurses and caregivers of Hospice of the Western Reserve for their loving care and support over the past number of weeks.

Family will receive friends Wednesday, May 10, 2017, from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth.   Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, 272 Broad Street in Wadsworth, Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 11 a.m, Father Joseph Labak celebrant.   Burial at Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Hospice of Western Reserve, or a charity of choice .

Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 330-334-1501 www.Hilliardrospert.com