Walter "Jack" Hermann Jr.

Walter "Jack" Hermann, Jr., beloved husband, father and Papa passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, February 25th at the Marlborough Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was 84 (and a half, according to him) and resided in Colchester for more than 50 years.

Born and raised in Hartford by his parents Walter and Ida, Jack graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1956. Jack went on to graduate from Hartford State Technical Institute, where he met Rita Sirois, the love of his life and his spouse of 63 years. He later received a bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University.

Jack spent 35 years as a metallurgical technician and team leader at United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford. After retirement he started "Jack of All Trades," his own handyman business and traveled the state providing carpentry, plumbing, tiling, electrical and any other services his clients needed. No job was too small for Jack to show up on a moment's notice, day or night for clients, friends or family.

A life-long learner by curiosity and necessity, Jack was an avid outdoorsman who spent many years camping in the mountains of New England and cycling along the East Coast, especially Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, with his family. Jack also loved scouting, achieving the rank of Star Scout as a youth and then becoming a leader as an adult beginning with the Webelos in the early 1970s and moving on to Boy Scouts as an Assistant Scout Master at Troop 13 at St, Andrews Roman Catholic Church in Colchester. Jack helped a number of scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, including his sons. During his time as a scout leader Jack led a 50 mile canoe trip on the Moose River in Maine and a 50 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut. Jack also helped lead the troop to the National Jamboree in 1972 and the Canadian Jamboree in 1977, established the troop's leadership corps unit and became a roundtable commissioner for the Indian Trails Council.

Jack was a proud Papa and cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed teaching them archery and serving as their target shooting coach at Quaker Hill Rod and Gun Club in Montville, where he was a member for more than 20 years.

In his spare time Jack, who was an accomplished member of Toastmasters, could usually be found in his workshop making custom furniture for his family, ammunition for target shooting and unique wooden carvings big and small. Jack was also an expert power-napper and a connoisseur of fine candy and cookies.

Jack was predeceased by his parents and Rita. He is survived by: his son Matthew and his wife Jennifer, of Columbia; his son Mark, of Glastonbury; his daughter Gretchen-Marie and her husband Steven Goode, of Amston; his grandchildren Amanda-Marie Goode, Alicia Goode and Isabelle Goode; Jonathan Hermann and Jared Hermann; sister Terry (Hermann) Bernard and her husband Ron. He will be sorely missed by all.

Jack's family would like to thank the staff at Marlborough Health & Rehabilitation Center and other caregivers for their efforts on his behalf. They also appreciate the kindness of Jack and Rita's Colchester neighbors over the last several years, especially Shannon Rodgers.

A celebration of life will be held March 31st, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, Ct.

Remembrances and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewkirkandWhitney.com for the Hermann family.