With sadness we share the news of the death last week of Walter Fields, 91, peacefully at his home in Florida. He was the father of the Rev. Paula Toland, Rector of St. Stephen’s, Millburn.
Born Walter Edwin Bloomfield in Worcester, MA, Walter was a tap dancer, with a professional career that began in 1939. As a child and young adult, he danced at military hospitals and bases, as well as for various bond drives, minstrel shows, showcases, and nightclubs in Massachusetts and New York. In appreciation for his support for the troops, he received a regulation Army uniform in 1949. He opened his first dance studio in Worcester in 1958, even as he continued to perform in nightclubs and other venues. A gifted teacher, he instilled the love of dance in countless students, including many who went on to Broadway, Las Vegas, television, and movies. After moving to Florida, he taught in other studios before opening Walter Fields Academy of Dance with his wife Beckie in 1987. He was in his early 80’s when he closed the studio, though he continued teaching for a few years at another studio.
Walter was a prolific choreographer. He choreographed shows for the Worcester County Light Opera, Shrewsbury Players, Auburn Community Players, Worcester Academy, Osceola Players, SPEBSQA of Orlando, numerous elementary and high schools, and the “Miss Worcester Pageant.” He choreographed the Miss Worcester Pageant and was resident choreographer for the show band “Solid State,” when they won “Entertainer of the Year” in Panama and were featured with Englebert Humperdink in Las Vegas. He taught tap and ballroom dance in adult education programs and community colleges in Massachusetts and Florida.
In addition to his wife Beckie and his daughter Paula (Ron) Toland, he is survived by his daughter Bethe (Darren) Pinto, daughter Nikki (Paul) Dumm, and daughter Jerilyn (William) Newell. He leaves 17 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Cecil “Jim” and Jessie (Fair) Bloomfield, his brother William “Buddy” Bloomfield, his sister Dorothy Rigby, and his son Mark Bloomfield.
At his request, his ashes will be laid to rest near his parents in a private service. In lieu of flowers, Walter would like donations in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Father of all, we pray to you for Walter, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
