BMC Walter "SAM" Ciechon USN (Ret.), Class 25

It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs its membership about the passing of BMC Walter "Sam" Ciechon, USN (Ret.) SEAL, Class 25, on July 9, 2010.

Walter "Sam" Ciechon, 88, died Friday, July 9, 2010, in Prince William Hospital in Northern Virginia of pneumonia. He was the husband of Theresa (Chamberlain) Ciechon of Virginia Beach, married Dec. 7, 1962. He was born in Morden in the province of Manitoba, Canada on Jan. 21, 1922. The son of Micholai and Alexandria (Seminuk) Ciechon, he moved from Canada to Lynn, Mass., in 1927 with his siblings and parents. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served as a hard hat diver, in EOD and UDT 21-22. He retired in 1962 and then worked for Prudential Insurance Companies.
He was a member of Bayside Masonic Lodge, National Rifle Association, and The UDT Seal Association. He was of Protestant faith. He enjoyed spending time with family, friends and especially his grandchildren. He loved to laugh.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Janet Fox of Texas; a son, Samuel Martin Ciechon and wife Patsy of Virginia Beach; a daughter, Melanie Ciechon Emerick and husband Kevin of Fairfax, Va.; five grandchildren, Vanessa Fox, Dino Kiriakou, Nicholas Walter Ciechon, Walt William Emerick, and Avarie Grace Emerick; and many others he considered a part of his extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Edward; a sister, Mary; and a brother, Joseph Ciechon.

Memorial services: will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 509 S. Rosemont Road, Virginia Beach, by Chaplain O'Boyle.
A celebration of his life: will be held at Grand Affairs, 2036 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, Alz.org.