November 8, 1934- August 24, 2026

Walter Fields, 91, born Walter Edwin Bloomfield, in Worcester, Massachusetts, died peacefully at the home he shared with his wife Beckie in Kissimmee, Florida.  Walter was preceded in death by his parents Cecil “Jim” and Jessie (Fair) Bloomfield, his brother William “Buddy” Bloomfield, his sister Dorothy Rigby, and his son Mark Bloomfield.  He is survived by his daughter Paula (Ron) Toland, son Brian (Judy) Bloomfield, daughter Bethe (Darren) Pinto, daughter Nikki (Paul) Dumm, and daughter Jerilyn (William) Newell. He leaves 17 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.  He was a graduate of North High School and was active an active member of  All Saints’ Episcopal Church until he moved to Florida.

Walter was a tap dancer, with a professional career that began in 1939.  As a child and young adult, he danced at military hospitals and bases, as well as for various bond drives, minstrel shows, showcases, and nightclubs in Massachusetts and New York.  In appreciation for his support for the troops, he received a regulation Army uniform in 1949. He opened his first dance studio in Worcester in 1958, even as he continued to perform in nightclubs and other venues.  A gifted teacher, he instilled the love of dance in countless students, including many who went on to Broadway, Las Vegas, television, and movies.  After moving to Florida, he taught in other studios before opening Walter Fields Academy of Dance with Beckie in 1987.  He was in his early 80’s when he closed the studio, though he continued teaching for a few years at another studio.

Walter was a prolific choreographer.  He choreographed shows for the Worcester County Light Opera, Shrewsbury Players, Auburn Community Players, Worcester Academy, Osceola Players, SPEBSQA of Orlando, numerous elementary and high schools, and the “Miss Worcester Pageant.”  He choreographed the Miss Worcester Pageant and was resident choreographer for the show band “Solid State,” when they won “Entertainer of the Year” in Panama and were featured with Englebert Humperdink in Las Vegas. He taught tap and ballroom dance in adult education programs and community colleges in Massachusetts and Florida

At his request, his ashes will be laid to rest near his parents in a private service. In lieu of flowers, Walter would like donations in his memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.