Walter "Gator" Dunnington

Salem - Walter “Gator” Dunnington passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at his home in Salem, NY. Gator was important part of the Salem community and was loved by his many friends.  He was an avid painter who exhibited in town, the region and beyond. Gator loved life and had a passion for many things and people. He was an avid trivia connoisseur and comic book afficionado. Gator was deeply into discovering facts and definitions of things in the world. Around the Salem area he ran several trivia nights at different establishments. He liked to source esoteric trivia points from his extensive knowledge of facts from a wide variety of topics.

In addition to his artistic and intellectual pursuits, Gator had a lifelong passion for sports, from basketball to horse racing. He had a remarkable knowledge of statistics, and though his interests spanned many teams and events, his heart belonged to the New York Jets and the New York Mets.

Born and raised in New York City, Gator attended St. Anne’s School in Brooklyn before earning a BA in Fine Arts from Bennington College. Gator also traveled around the world and collected artifacts from different cultures, cherishing each one of them. Over the years he spent many hours painting at Salem Art Works where had a studio and was a member of the board. Gator will be missed very much by many people in the Salem community and beyond.

He is survived by his mother Jacqueline Dunnington and his sister India Dunnington.

Visiting hours will be on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 3-5 pm at the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem.

 A celebration of his life will be at the top of Cary Hill Sculpture Park (SAW Hill) at 2 pm on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Salem Art Works, 19 Cary Lane, Salem, NY  12865. 

To express your sympathy or share a memory of Gator, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com

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