Officer Walter L. Thurber – Cranston Police

     Officer Walter L. Thurber passed away May 25, 2021.  He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 26, 1929 to the late Joseph and Alice Thurber. He was the last surviving sibling of four sisters and a twin brother. Having served in the Korean War and deployed in Germany, Walter was a proud Army Veteran. After his service in the military, Walter pursued a career as an officer for the Cranston Police Department.  He was appointed a patrolman on August 2, 1954, and retired in 1984  after 30 years of service.  Afterwards he became a security guard for G-Tech INC. before retiring for the final time at the age of 70. During his time as a patrolman and working the Edgewood area, Walter met his lovely wife, Elise. She was a nurse at Cranston General Hospital at the time. They wed on November 8, 1959 and began their family only a couple of years later. Walter and Elise welcomed their first child, Paul in 1961 and three years later welcomed their second child, Monique in 1964. During this time, they purchased their lifelong home in Cranston where the couple raised their children and later spent time with their grandchildren. Walter had four grandchildren, Bryan Houle, Justin Thurber, Andrew Thurber, and Madison Houle, who absolutely adored him. Walter leaves behind his wife Elise, his 2 children, son in-law Robert, and four grandchildren, as well as three nephews and two nieces. 

     Walter is buried at the R.I. Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.  Rest in peace our brother.