Walter Lobo

Walter R. Lobo December 30, 1929 – July 14, 2025

Walter Richard Lobo, of Fort Lee, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2025. He was 95 years old.

Wally (as he was affectionately known), was born on December 30, 1929, in New York, NY, to Walter E. Lobo and Kathleen Mahoney Lobo. He was the second of five children and spent his childhood in Westfield, New Jersey. Wally attended St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark and went on to graduate from Syracuse University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Shortly after graduation, Wally was proud to be commissioned into the United States Marine Corps. He completed flight training in Pensacola, Florida, then jet school in Corpus Christi, Texas, and was assigned to the 451 FJ-2 Squadron at MCAS El Toro, California. He served overseas tours in Hawaii and Japan. After four years of active duty, he joined the Marine Corps Reserves in Brooklyn, NY and entered civilian life.

Wally began a sales career at Procter & Gamble, where he was involved in the product launch of Crest toothpaste, but left after a short time to pursue his love of flying. He flew commercially for Pan Am and loved flying the international routes to Europe and Africa. Later, he flew for Northeastern Airlines, but after being furloughed several times, he returned permanently to a successful career in sales that would span more than six decades. He and his friend co-founded Harris & Lobo, manufacturers’ representatives, in 1972. Over the years they introduced innovative home products, like Krazy Glue, to the consumer marketplace. Wally remained active in sales until recent years, still selling Proform paintbrushes to local accounts - a true testament to his energy and salesmanship.

In July 1962, during a routine weekend flight in the Marine reserves, Wally and his copilot experienced an engine flame-out over Greenwood Lake, NJ while flying a two-seater Marine jet. Unable to eject from the aircraft, they were forced to crash-land in the woods. Miraculously, both survived after being found hours later by a search party - a remarkable story that lives on in New Jersey lore.

Wally was a true fitness enthusiast. He woke before dawn to play tennis during the week and then hit the gym, even into his 80s. He began running in the 1970s before it was a common fitness activity and went on to complete 5 marathons, including the Marine Corps Marathon.

Wally was a proud father and grandfather who spent many hours watching the sports and activities his children or grandchildren were involved in and taking them to watch his beloved NY Jets. He always had an encouraging word for everyone and loved to hear regular updates on each of his grandchildren throughout their lives, from early school years to college, to the work force. He was a great storyteller, in part because he had so many interesting adventures to share and partly because people were attracted to his charismatic personality.

Wally was blessed to be part of a large and loving family. He is survived by his devoted wife and partner for 26 years, Fran Lobo; his children Suzanne Maguire (Michael) of Madison, NJ, Gregory Lobo (Michele) of Bernardsville, NJ, and Richard Lobo (Katherine) of La Jolla, CA. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren who brought him so much joy: Ryan (Hannah), Michael, Jack, and Timothy Maguire; Grace, Gregory, Patrick, Brendan, Kendall, and Justin Lobo. He was also a great-grandfather to Grace Elizabeth Maguire.

Wally is also survived by his sister Kathleen Magill (Jack) of Chatham, NJ; his former wife and mother of his children, Nancy B. Lobo; several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, many loving nieces and nephews, and numerous friends.

The family would also like to thank Venessa Shand who cared for him with kindness and unwavering dedication throughout the last year and a half.

A funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Madonna in Fort Lee, NJ on July 21 at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to the John C. Lobo '52 Scholarship Fund at St. Benedict's Preparatory School, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102 or online at www.sbp.org/inmemory in honor of Walter Lobo '47.