Obituary of Erving Henry Wall Jr.

Erving Henry Wall, Jr. passed peacefully on April 17, 2023. He was born in Plymouth, MA on September 27, 1934 to Erving H. Wall, Sr. and Madeline Wall (Northrup).

He packed a lot into his 88 years. The defining aspect of his life was service. As family surveyed the many mementos from his life his commitment to serving God, country, family and to his fellow man was evident. He served 20+ years in the U.S. Navy including in the Korean Conflict. He held secret clearance for his work at Raytheon. He had the distinction and honor of serving as a Massachusetts State Senator. He ran his own business, Wall Machinery, Inc with his wife Harriett for more than 25 years.

Erv and Harriett married in Duxbury, MA in 1955. Erv shipped out on a destroyer and was active duty in the Navy for several years before transitioning to the Naval Reserves service until his retirement from the Navy in 1980.

When children came along, they raised their family in Taunton MA. He was a devoted Christian serving as Deacon at the Winthrop St. Baptist Church in Taunton MA for several years. He had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing solos at Church.

Erv was a natural athlete lettering in several sports, but his love was football. He played for the semi-professional football team the Plymouth Rockettes. He loved to tease. He enjoyed a good joke and often swapped jokes with his daughters.

He received many awards and acknowledgments for his service. He was made an honorary member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribe for his support of Native American issues. Other organizations that presented him with service awards include Lions Club, YMCA, Historical Society, and Massachusetts Childcare Community. He participated in the local PTO organization and was a long-time member of the Gideons serving as President, Gideons International MA/RI Chapter.

Erv and Harriett enjoyed many adventures together. They traveled to many States and even Australia. Cruising in Alaska was one of their favorite trips.

Erv and Harriett retired to Palm Bay, FL in 2003. However, retirement didn’t suit him and he continued working and volunteering until age 75 including working as

a Crossing Guard and Crossing Guard Supervisor for Brevard County. He was also a volunteer Cop (V-Cop) in Palm Bay.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 67 years, Harriett F. Wall, daughters Deborah Crossman, Carol Rideout, Harriett Wall and her partner Chuck Plummer, and Susan Bentcourt and her husband Thomas Bentcourt. He also leaves his grandchildren Danielle Crossman, Deborah Anne Crossman, Mary O’Malley, and her husband Stephen O’Malley and Harrison Ransley and Samuel Ransley, and great-grandchildren Simon and Dymphna O’Malley. He is also survived by his sisters Edie Mansfield and her husband Larry Mansfield, Madeline Brenner, Patty MacKenzie and her husband John MacKenzie, and Kathy Wall. He enjoyed his neighbors, June, Helen, Dianne, Evelyn, Mary, and Joe. He also leaves his beloved cats SiBaKi and Fluffy. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Ruth and her husband Ray Henrion.