Walter J. MEALY

MEALY, Walter J.


Walter J. Mealy, age 80, died at Hartford Hospital on October 30, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born in Newark, NJ, to the late Walter E. and Catherine (Kanach) Mealy and spent his early years there. He leaves his wife and sweetheart of 56 years, Marilyn (Komatz) Mealy. Walter was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Alice Mealy Morrin, in June, 2009. Walt's children and their spouses were deeply loved and ever close to his heart. He was a proud father and father-in-law to Deborah and John Mayo of West Hartford, Thomas and Ginger Mealy of Tolland, Maureen and Nick Faenza of West Hartford, Christine and Mark Milkie of South Glastonbury, and Michael and Jill Mealy of Pensacola, FL. He leaves his grandchildren to remember how much Papa loved them: Allison (Mayo) and Josh O'Mara, David Mayo, Mark Faenza, John Faenza, Jennifer Milkie, Derek Milkie, Kenneth Mealy, Jeff Mealy, Erica Morrin, Shannon Morrin, and great-grandson, Eli O'Mara. In addition to his immediate family, Walter leaves his brothers- and sisters-in-law Marie (Komatz) DeIntinis; Florine (Komatz) and Paul Kreeb; and Ted and Nancy Komatz. He is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, numerous friends and colleagues, and life-long friend James J. Valvano. Walt's friendliness, warmth and outgoing spirit will be remembered and missed by all. Walter graduated from St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, and in 1955 received a B.A. degree in Economics from St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA. From 1955 to 1957 he proudly served as a cryptographer with the US Army Signal Corps in Ft. Gordon, GA. In 1965 Walt and Marilyn moved their family from New Jersey to South Windsor. After having spent a decade in the graphics arts industry, in 1973 Walter, with his wife, Marilyn, opened his own firm, Northeast Printing Plates, Inc., in Hartford. The business supplied specialty plates for various printed products: cups, bags, medical packaging, etc. After selling the business 30 years later, Walter obtained his realtor license and enjoyed being on the staff at Dzen Realty in South Windsor. "Wonderful Walter" was always more than willing to give of his time and talents whenever and wherever he could be of help to family, friends and community. In South Windsor he was a founder, president, and member of the Chamber of Commerce; was chairman of the Industrial Development Commission, served on the Economic Development Commission; and was a member and chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He was also a member of the Exchange Club. Walt coached in the Midget Football League, was chairman of the Support our Troops Committee in 1991 and was active in the South Windsor Republican Town Committee. After moving to Vernon in 2007, Walter served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and was a member of the Republican Town Committee. Walt and Marilyn returned to South Windsor in 2012. He was a parishioner at St. Margaret Mary Church in South Windsor. A life-long Yankee fan (which made for lively debate during family gatherings), Walt also followed UConn women's basketball and NFL football. Among his many treasured memories were days spent on Nauset Beach in Cape Cod with Marilyn. In his younger years Walt like to hunt, and fishing remained a life-long pleasure. Walt enjoyed and was proficient at model building and wood carving. On a larger scale, he was proud of the decks he built for family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, Monday, Nov 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Road, South Windsor. Burial will follow at Wapping Cemetery, South Windsor. His family will receive friends, Saturday Nov. 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hartford Hospital/Life Star Fund, 80 Seymour Street, P. O. Box 5307, Hartford, CT 06102. For online expressions of sympathy please visit us at www.carmonfuneralhome.com.