Obituary of Walter Steven Goldstein

Walter “Wally” Goldstein, 84, of Peabody, Massachusetts and more recently California with his family, passed away peacefully on 29th Day, February 2020 at his home in Hollister, California after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was the beloved husband of Elinor Goldstein, deceased, father of Richard Goldstein, Father-in-law to Rae Goldstein and devoted Grandfather to his beloved Samuel Goldstein. Born and raised in Newton, MA and in more recently a resident of Naples, Florida, and Hollister, California, was the son of the late Morris and Anne Goldstein. A 1953 graduate of Newton High School, Walter obtained his double bachelor’s degrees at the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, in 1957, and a JD degree from Boston College in 1961. Wally was one of the founding partners of Edelstein and Company, and as a Certified Public Accountant, College Instructor and was President of the Massachusetts Society of CPA’s. He dedicated his life to his family and business and became only one of two highly esteemed forensic accountants in Massachusetts as well as a Federal Mediator. Wally was very well respected by his clients and his peers, and grew together with his business mentor and partner, Alan Edelstein, a thriving practice before his retirement. Wally left an impact on his community too by being one of the leaders instrumental in creating the Temple Beth Shalom in Peabody in the 1960’s and was dedicated to the education and well-being of the Peabody Jewish community. Wally loved to play golf, read, play bridge, sit in the sunshine, and was always accompanied by his sidekick Rosie, his toy poodle who remains living with the Rich, Rae and Sam. Wally was someone who was happy when his family was happy and loved a simple, peaceful life. He traveled for many years with his wife, Ellie and spoke often of their time raising Rich and family trips. Wally was a casual player of the electric keyboard and loved to listen to music while sitting in the sun. Wally was a loving husband, dad, father-in-law, papa, friend, neighbor, and a kind and gentle human being. Family was paramount to him. Wally loved his daughter-in-law Rae, and he enjoyed conversation and bantering about daily news. He also loved her cooking and never turned down a scoop of ice cream to end the day. Wally was a passionate collector of stamps and coins and loved to look at old family photos with anyone who would sit with him ad reminisce. In retirement, he enjoyed living in Florida before moving with the family to California. He is survived by his son Richard and his wife Rae and grandson Samuel. He is also survived by his loving niece Stacey Knoeble, her husband Jay and their children Jack and Samantha of Hudson, WI, and his sister-in-law, Susan Welling and her husband Lee and the Nadasdi family of NY. Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings, the memorial service details will be announced when restrictions have been lifted. In lieu of flowers, donations in Wally’s memory may be sent to the American Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org