Walter Valentine Borys

Walter Valentine Borys, 87, of York, Pennsylvania, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. He was the husband of Barbara (Dudderar) Borys to whom he was married to for 47 years.

Born in Baltimore City, Maryland, Walter grew up in the Patterson Park area. He was the son of the late Bronislaus and Cecelia Mary (Rachuba) Borys. Walter was a graduate of Calvert Hall College. He went on to receive an undergraduate degree in Music Education from The Peabody Conservatory of Music.

Walter’s first mentor in music was his brother-in-law, Val Clouspy, who started him on the clarinet. Walter expanded his love of woodwinds in high school and added the saxophone in his repertoire. Throughout his career he formed numerous groups with his friends such as ‘The Versatiles” and “The Punchinellos”. They performed all throughout the Baltimore area. Walter was an Army veteran where he served as a music instructor at the Navy School of Music. Following his service, he travelled the world as a member of the Frank Sinatra, Jr. band and performed and recorded with Frank Sinatra, Sr., Johnny Mathis, Barbara Streisand, Perry Como and Tony Bennet to mention a few. Later in life he returned to Baltimore where he taught band and orchestra in the Baltimore County School System. He went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Woodwind Doubling at the University of Nevada Las Vegas while also playing in the Desert Inn Orchestra. He did extensive theater work in Baltimore eventually becoming the contractor for the Hippodrome Theater. As was witnessed by so many, Walter was a master of his craft.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Albert J. Borys, Edward S. Borys, Dolores M. (Borys) Clouspy; and nephew, Drew Clouspy. Walter is survived by his wife Barbara; nieces & nephews, Cynthia and George, Valerie and Tom, Greg and Barbara, Jay and Kim, Nicole, Tim and Amy, John and brother-in-law, Mark and his wife, Sally; and many great nieces and nephews, along with great-great nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to a viewing from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14 at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., 24 North Second Street, New Freedom, PA 17349. A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Tuesday, April 15th at 11:00am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 315 North Constitution Avenue, New Freedom, PA 17349. Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery with military honors provided by York County Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation at T2T.org. HartensteinCares.com