Walter W. Niemi Jr.

Walter William Niemi, Jr. ("Walt") of Lunenburg, MA, passed away peacefully on July 29, at the age of 79.

Walt was born on January 10, 1945, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Walter and Irene (Koski) Niemi. The Niemi family soon moved to Lunenburg, where Walt would reside for the rest of his life.

He graduated from Lunenburg High School in 1963 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UMass Amherst in 1967.

In 1971, Walt took over the family business, Niemi Manufacturing, which he transformed into Niemi Security Systems. He semi-retired 10 years ago but remained actively involved in serving customers until his passing. For over 50 years, Walt served hundreds of customers throughout North Central Massachusetts, providing security systems to residences and businesses. Niemi Security Systems also sold weather instruments, industrial products, and hang gliders, but security and fire systems became Walt's specialty.

In the 1970s, Walt discovered his true passion for hang gliding. He spent years soaring from the peaks of the mountains of New England. Walt was a certified instructor for the United States Hang Gliding Association and served as President of the Windward Kite and Gliding Club. He holds the record for the most flights from the summit of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, with a total of 34 flights. In a 1980 interview with the Fitchburg Sentinel-Enterprise, Walt shared, "the old blood gets pumping every time I go off Washington, it’s the same rush."

Walt is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Carol (Powers); his daughter, Audra Herman, and her husband, Greg, of Pembroke; his son, Walter Niemi III, of Federal Way, Washington; his sister, Barbara Cormier of Amherst, New Hampshire; and his cherished grandchildren, Alex, Emily, and Ana. He was predeceased by his sister, Judy.

Walt will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, dedication to hang gliding, and his love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association www.heart.org.

Calling hours are Saturday, August 3, from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. with the funeral service starting at 12:00 Noon at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster. Burial will be private.

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