WALTER M. BORKOWSKI

WALTER M. BORKOWSKI, 79, of Coventry, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Walter was the beloved husband of 58 years to Joanne M. (Lautieri) Borkowski. 

Born in Providence, Walter was a son of the late Walter S. and Ethel (Flynn) Borkowski. 

After graduating from LaSalle Academy, Walter went on to attend Rhode Island Junior College, (later renamed Community College of Rhode Island) where he was a member of the institution’s first graduating class. 

In 1967 he proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving seven years active duty, then enlisted in the Rhode Island  Army National Guard as a recruiter. His recruiting efforts earned him the Recruiter of the Year Award. 

Walter then served 13 years in the Rhode Island Air National Guard as a member of the 143rd CAMS - Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron - repairing avionics systems for the Air Force’s Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. He also served as a member of the fire department, headquartered at TF Green Airport and later, Quonset Air Base. 

He ended his military service after earning the rank of Master Sergeant. Walter served in the Air Force and the Air National Guard during the Vietnam War in Thailand in the 1970s, in Panama during the U.S. invasion and capture of dictator Manuel Noriega in 1990, and in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In 1989, he began work with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in the Supervisor of Ship Building Department, SUPSHIP, at Electric Boat in Groton, CT, as a quality control inspector, holding the titles of business analyst and special projects coordinator, and briefly serving as president of the union. 

During his tenure as a business analyst for SUPSHIP, his work was recognized for the Malcolm  Baldridge Award, the highest presidential honor in the United States for organizational performance and excellence. 

His work there ensured specifications were met during construction of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarines, including, but not limited to, the USS Seawolf, USS Columbia, USS Pennsylvania, USS Connecticut and the USS Ronald Reagan.

He retired from NAVSEA after 16 years, in 2005. Upon his retirement, colleagues praised his ability to marry Baldrige concepts and SUPSHIP processes.

Between military service and civil service, Walter spent 36 years applying his technical, management and analytical expertise to ensuring the success of United States air and sea power.

Besides his dear wife, Joanne, Walter is survived by his loving children: Robert Borkowski, Christopher Borkowski and his wife, Hye Young, and Jennifer (Borkowski) Manni. 

He was grandfather to Joseph Manni, Dylan Manni, Bailey Borkowski, and Paige Borkowski, and the brother of Janet (Borkowski) Keller and the late Thomas Borkowski. 

An avid reader, Walter devoured the novels of Robert B. Parker, Dean Koontz, Tom Clancy and Rhode Island’s own Jon Land, and discussed plots and characters with Joanne, Robert and Christopher. He enjoyed the fruits of Jennifer’s culinary education, frequently requesting her chocolate chip cookies. 

He was a jovial man whose humor and interest in others made him a cherished regular at local restaurants. He was especially fond of spending time at the Bonnet Shores Beach Club, where he easily befriended anyone in earshot of his spontaneous conversations. He loved spending time “at Bonnet” with his grandchildren. He was a doting grandfather, with his rendition of “Summertime,” ready for any upsetting situation. He was generous with hugs and encouragement, and loved organizing trips and treats. 

He was a Toastmasters member and speaker and advocate of public speaking practice. In the 1980s, Walter led a neighborhood watch that dramatically improved safety and discouraged underage drug use. 

He loved God, his family and his country. His smile, wisdom, friendship, and love are deeply missed.

Family and friends are invited to Walter’s Committal Prayers with Military Funeral Honors on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 301 South County Trail, Exeter. Those planning to attend are asked to gather at the main entrance of the cemetery at 11:15 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Walter’s memory to 

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (StJude.org), 

Make-A-Wish (Wish.org), or the 

Shriner’s Hospital for Children (ShrinersChildrens.org).

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