Walt Renner Passes At 90
Recipient of NEAR Hall of Fame Jack Ratta Memorial Media Award
Walter H. Renner 1921-2011 HOLYOKE – Walter H. Renner, 90, of Holyoke, was called safely home on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. He was born in Chicopee, son of the late Daniel and Bertha (Gerhardt) Renner, and lived in Chicopee before moving to Holyoke, where he has resided for the past 67 years. Walter was a 1939 graduate of Chicopee Trade High School, upon his graduation he immediately began working as a machinist at B.F. Perkins and Son in Willimansett, and remained there for 47 years until his retirement. Walter was a United States Army Veteran of World War II, a member of American Legion Post 353 in Willimansett, and a charter member of Edward Drake Chapter 41 of the Disabled American Veterans of Holyoke. He enjoyed music, and was the manager of his daughters all girl rock band The Timbres. Walter was an avid racing fan, who along with his late wife Ronnie, worked as representatives with Chris Economaki’s National Speed Sport News, Riverside Park Speedway, Stafford Motor Speedway, and Thompson International Speedway. He contributed articles about races at all of the New England tracks which were later published in Speed Sport News.
On September 11, 1999 at the last NASCAR race held at Riverside Park Speedway, Walter and his wife Ronnie were honored trackside by NASCAR officials for their decades of service to the American Short Track Industry. He was predeceased by his wife Veronica “Ronnie” (Denault) Renner on June 4, 2010. Walter leaves his loving daughter Ronie R. Webster and his son-in-law, Lawrence Webster of Wilbraham, a brother, Harold Renner of South Hadley, and 21 nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his sisters Elsie Clarkson and Freida Heineman. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mateen at the Holyoke Medical Center, who supported Walter through his illness, and to everyone at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke for the care and compassion provided to Walter. Calling hours will be held Monday, November 21, 2011 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke; a celebration of Walter’s life will be held Saturday morning November 26, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Avenue, Holyoke, a private burial will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Memorial contributions may be made to Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040.