Walt Bentkowski

Walt Bentkowski
Walt Bentkowski, 91, of St. Augustine, FL, passed away July 22, 2021, at Flagler Hospital. He was born to Walter Sr. and Julia Bentkowski, in Philadelphia, PA. As children, Walt and his sister Irene had a happy childhood and attended St. Adalbert Catholic School. As a student there, Walt first met Dolores, the girl who would later become his future wife. In his youth, Walt was an altar server at St. Adalbert Catholic Church. He later attended Northeast Catholic High School and served in the National Guard when he was a teenager. Following graduation, Walt joined the Merchant Marine in 1947, working in the deck department as a member of the Seafarers International Union. As a young man, he sailed on Liberty ships to many countries in Europe and the Middle East. A few years later, Walt decided to renew his friendship with Dolores, his childhood classmate. Following their engagement, Walt and Dolores were married in St. Adalbert Catholic Church on Nov. 5, 1950. Their first visit to St. Augustine, Florida, occurred when they were on their honeymoon trip to Havana, Cuba. After his marriage, Walt was employed in Philadelphia until he was called to serve in the military as a member of the US Marine Corps. Returning to civilian life, Walt and his wife became parents of a daughter, Karen. The family moved to suburban Phila. and then briefly to N.J. where Walt was employed at a local shipyard. In 1960, Walt and Dolores decided to purchase a lot and have their own house built on a site one block from St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and School in Philadelphia. With house plans designed by Dolores, Walt worked on the construction along with his father-in-law, Nick, who was a bricklayer. This would be the family's home for years to come and the center of many family gatherings. Ship repair was now Walt's permanent occupation. In the following years, he repaired hundreds of various seagoing vessels, from dredges and tugboats to merchant ships and oil tankers. In addition, Walt was occasionally assigned to repair Navy vessels, including the minesweeper Serene, nuclear-powered Savannah, and aircraft carriers U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and U.S.S. Enterprise. In Philadelphia, Walt and his family often visited the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine. He was devoted to Mary and he purchased Miraculous Medals in quantity for distribution on the ships. Having been a seafarer before marriage, Walt wanted his family to travel by ship to visit foreign countries and learn about different cultures. Over the years he planned trips to Europe, North Africa, South America and the Caribbean Islands for his family, which showed the wonders of the world to them. During summer vacation, he also took his family on car trips to other states. Walt, Dolores and Karen often enjoyed many delightful family gatherings at the Wildwood, NJ, home of Walt's sister Irene and her husband Stanley, along with their children. Walt was proud to have been the Godfather to his nephew Michael Gage, and had wonderful memories of his nieces and nephew, Cynthia Gage-Palumbo, Gwendolyn Waranis and Thomas Gage.
In 1972, Walt and Dolores bought a vacation home in St. Augustine, and in 1979 they moved to Florida with additional family members. At that time, Walt began a small painting business and had many painting jobs at local homes, schools and churches. He felt privileged that he and his crew had painted St. Benedict's Church, San Sebastian Church and the Lyceum at CPS. During the 1980s, the family had to return to Philadelphia for a few years while remodeling a family member's house. Walt and his family then returned to Florida permanently in 1989, where he and his family became members of Cathedral Parish. He and his family made many friends in St. Augustine, among them a dear friend Cecilia. After almost 65 years of marriage, Walt's wife Dolores was called home to heaven on April 9, 2015. In recent years, Cecilia remained a dear friend and helped Walt daily in many ways. Walt was a devoted husband and father. As a beloved Dad, he was the guiding light and blessing in his daughter Karen's life with his sound wisdom and practical advice, always given with love, and he will remain in her heart forever. She will treasure special memories of him as long as she lives. Walt was steadfastly there to guide and guard his family, and was always willing to help anyone in need and he was always kind to animals. Over the years, many friends and family members relied on him for assistance in ways too numerous to recall. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and was known for brightening the days of all who were privileged to know him. Karen wishes to express her gratitude to Cecilia for her care of Dad during his illness. Karen is also most grateful for the ministry and dedication of Rev. Martin Ibeh, Rev. Edward Murphy, Dr. Jignesh Patel and the caring staff at Flagler Hospital. Special thanks to Rev. Fr. William Mooney, the Sisters of St. Joseph, and all at Riverside Cottages for their prayers and support. May Our Lady, Star of the Sea, guide Walt home to her Divine Son, who in His infinite love and mercy, may bring him to everlasting life.
In Lieu of flowers, Mass donations are requested.
Funeral services will be held 9:00 AM Friday at the St. Joseph Convent Chapel and a additional Mass will be celebrated 9:00 AM Saturday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Donations in his memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Dining Room Fund or to the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, 475 E. Chelten Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144 (website is www.MiraculousMedal.org )