DOVER: Walter Joseph Sloboda passed away peacefully in his home on Nov 27th 2014 at the age of 92. He was born on August 9th 1922 in the small coal mining town of Lykens, Pennsylvania; son of Ukrainian immigrants, Joseph and Dominica Sloboda. He grew up during the Great Depression, one of seven children. During his school years he served as an altar boy, then in the choir and a reader of the Epistle in the Russian Orthodox Church. Religion was a very important part in his growing up. After High School Graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. He started as a private and quickly climbed the ranks to a Regular USAF Lieutenant Colonel. During his years of service to the US of A, he served at the Ascension Islands, Papua, New Guinea and the Philippines Post, as he continued his military career working with the CIA and Personnel Management until his military retirement as Lieutenant Colonel in 1967. During his military career, he attended a Russian Language School in Monterey, CA. There he met (in his words), “a blonde, blue eyed chick named, Maxine!!” They fell deeply in love and married on June 27th 1948 in Oklahoma City. Starting a family soon followed. After retiring from the military, secondary careers followed. He worked at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital as the first Personnel Director and then at Frisbie Memorial Hospital. Walter was an avid golfer, poker player, ten pin bowler and fisherman. He was an active NH Rotarian for 30 plus years with a perfect attendance record. He was also an active member of Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Salem, MA. Walter was an active member of the Cochecho Country Club of Dover, NH. He is survived by his son, Joseph John Sloboda of Palmer, MA and daughter, Zoe Ann Wendolowski of Salem, OR; his seven grandchildren and his four great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; his two brothers, Peter and Stephen; his four sisters, Anna, Rose, Vera and Lovina; his loving wife, Leona Maxine Sloboda and his daughter, Linda May Long. May he rest in peace; He will remain forever in our hearts. Friends and family may call from 4-6:00pm on Thurs., Dec.4, 2014 at Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover, NH. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Fri., Dec. 5, 2014 at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, 64 Forrester St., Salem, MA 01970. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Central Ave, Dover, NH. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com