Wallace Kumpitsch Rescuers can’t save pregnant porpoise

Stuart, Fla. — Wallace Kumpitsch, 78, of Stuart, passed away Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, peacefully in the care of Hospice.

He was born in New London and was a longtime resident of Niantic. His parents, Paul Kumpitsch Sr., Florence Kumpitsch; and his brother, Paul Kumpitsch Jr., predeceased him.

Wally (as he was known) worked at Electric Boat for 10 years after high school. He then went into the lobster and fishing business, following in his father’s footsteps, his true passion. While still lobstering, he worked at Thames Valley Steel for many years. Getting close to retirement, he moved to Stuart, Fla., where he worked for Pratt and Whitney until retiring.

He is survived by his sons, Wayne Kumpitsch of Danville, Va., John Kumpitsch of Lompoc, Calif. and Glenn Kumpitsch of Waterford. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Carlton Burk of Old Lyme and Colby Eastwood of Groton.

A private ceremony celebrating Wally’s life will occur in the summer of 2018.

Donations on his behalf may be made to the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission.

Boston (AP) — Rescuers say they were unable to save a stranded, pregnant porpoise that washed up in Boston during a recent storm.

The New England Aquarium Rescue Team responded immediately to the harbor porpoise, which became stranded Wednesday in the Dorchester neighborhood near the Harbor Point housing development. An aquarium spokesman says the animal died just before rescuers arrived at the scene near the storm’s height.

Harbor porpoises are the smallest species of dolphin that lives in New England waters, and they hunt fish in Boston Harbor in winter and spring. The aquarium spokesman says the presence of porpoises near Boston is a “dividend of the Boston Harbor clean-up.”