Mark David Dalton

Mark David Dalton, age 83, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 12, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Norwood, on September 11, 1938, he was the son of the late Garrett H. and Dora E. (LaVoie) Dalton. Mark grew up with his brothers and sister in the neighboring town of Walpole, where he later attended Walpole High School. He enjoyed spending his time playing sports and became the catcher for the American Legion Baseball team. Ever the athlete, Mark participated in football, hockey, golf, and baseball throughout his school career and even was elected class president all four years of high school.

Upon his graduation with the Class of 1956, Mark entered the United States Marine Corps. He quickly became a part of the Marine Corps golf team. After earning the rank of corporal and completing a tour of duty, Mark was honorably discharged in 1959 and returned to his hometown of Walpole. He went to work as soon as he had gotten home, working for a time with his family at the Walpole Press and Walpole Times before branching out and taking a position with the Walpole Water Department as a meter reader. After three years with the town, Mark heard of an opening at the Walpole Police Department, applied and was promptly hired.

Mark started his tenure with the Walpole Police Department as an ambulance driver. He quickly applied to become an officer, committing to take the necessary steps to get him to where he wanted to be and graduating from the State Police Academy on February 12, 1965. Mark became a police officer on November 27, 1963 and was appointed to the Walpole Police Department in 1965. Ten years later, Mark became a police prosecutor in 1980 until his retirement in 2001.

There was more joy in his life than just his work. In 1961, Mark met the love of his life, Anita Ferrara, at the Petracca’s Ten Pin Inn by the Jukebox and after just one dance, the two knew they were meant to be together. A year later, they married in Saint Catherine’s Church in Norwood on April 28, 1962. Mark and Anita were quick to expand their family, welcoming three children to the world and raising them in the cozy town of Walpole. He loved to watch his family grow and meeting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mark was a social man who loved to spend time with his family and friends. He was the former president of the Walpole Country Club, went on trips to the Hilton Head Island Golf Courses in North Carolina as well as the West Coast Florida with his friends and worked at The Range in South Walpole. Mark had a love for dancing with his wife at weddings they attended and always made time for his family. He made a point to go to any games or functions that his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a part of, happy to cheer them on.

Beloved husband of Anita L. Dalton.
Loving father of Kathleen E. McSweeney, and her husband, Patrick of Wrentham, Mark D. Dalton, Jr., and his partner, Cheryl Jennings, of Walpole and Kristina L. Connolly, and her husband, Michael, of Walpole.
Cherished grandfather of Katie, Desiree, Brian, Jaime, ShawnMarie, Casey, Kristy, Michael and Dalton.
Dear great-grandfather of Noah, Owen, Sadie and Nolan.
Brother of Mary Deborah Harvey, and her husband, Richard, of Plainville, the late Garrett H. Dalton, Jr. and the late Peter J. Dalton.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Mark’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. 

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 9:30 AM, prior to Mark’s Funeral Mass which will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole at 10:30 AM.  Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379 or online at https://www.oldcolonyhospice.org/donation-overview or Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation, 14 Prospect Street, Milford, MA 01757 or online at https://foundation.milfordregional.org/waystogive/