Groton - Wally "Mr. Fantastic" Post, loving father, son, brother and most of all, Pappy, age 77, of Briar Hill Road, Groton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. He was born March 10, 1946, in New London, the son of the late Walter S. Post and Lucille Burge Post. He was married to Coleen Sexton Post for 30 years who predeceased him.

Wally served in the U.S. Army in Viet Nam from 1967 to 1968. After his service, he enlisted in the CT Army National Guard at the AVCRD station in Groton until 1994. During his National Guard time, he was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Wally loved his family, the Red Sox, the senior center and bowling. He was an active member of the Groton Senior Center where he served as president for six years, as well as volunteered for many years. Over the years, Wally went on numerous trips with the Groton Senior Center including the most recent to Colorado in August of 2022. Wally was an avid bowler at the Groton Bowling Center for over 50 years. He bowled a perfect game April 12, 2006. Prior to his cancer diagnosis in June of 2023, he bowled with multiple leagues and was the league secretary. Bowling was his passion. The Groton Senior Center and Groton Bowling Center were extremely special to Wally. That is where he made friends who became family. He was known and loved by everyone.

Wally is survived by his three daughters, Bonnie Post Stanford and his two grandsons Deion and Ryan (Christina) Stanford, and great grandchildren Mason and Chloe Stanford; Pamela Post Campbell and his three granddaughters, Isabella, Hailley and Reese Campbell; Heather Post Jakan and husband Travis and his two grandchildren, Colby and Kennedy Jakan; his brother Albert Post and wife Penny; mother-in-law Julia Banbrick Sexton; brothers-in-law, Richard and wife Debbie Sexton and Dennis and wife Laurie Sexton; his best friend Darnell Aker; and many friends who were family from the Groton Senior Center and Groton Bowling Center. He was predeceased by his brothers, Gary, James, Franklin, Donald and Johnny.

Bowling meant everything to Wally. That is why his family couldn't imagine having the Celebration of Life anywhere but the Groton Bowling Center starting with military honors at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Come celebrate with us by wearing your favorite bowling shirt and sharing a meal from Sneekers Cafe in honor of "Mr. Fantastic". Wally's two favorite things were bowling and enjoying a meal at Sneekers.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be directed to the Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road, Groton, CT 06340. Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guest book or share a memory of Wally with the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Oct. 17, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Wally Post

Sponsored by Byles-Groton Memorial Home - Groton.

8 Entries

Carol W PRATT

October 11, 2024

He was a genius on the computer. And always helpful to everyone. I miss his happy smile and hugs.

Carol W. Pratt

October 22, 2023

I never met anyone more enthusiastic about the Senior Center than Wally,
He also started everyone's day with a smile. He was a valuable asset to the Computer Learning Center. After I retired I saw him many times at the Elks Club steak nights. He always greeted with a hug and made me feel special. I will miss him. My condolences to his family. I'm sorry I was not able to give them personally at the memorial service for, as I expected, it was packed with people who admired and loved him. It was a lovely tribute to a great man. Sincerely, Carol Pratt

Laura Cook

October 21, 2023

Wally is a very special person. He will be missed very much.

Sarah C.

October 18, 2023

RIP Wally. My dad was friends with Wally since they were kids. I used to watch them bowl together when I was a kid, the highlight of my week, watching old men bowl haha. Wally was always so kind, a teddy bear. My condolences to his family and friends.

Dana Gouette

October 17, 2023

So very saddened to hear of my life-long friends passing! My family lived just up the hill from the Post home, and we became friends in 1960! We had so much fun playing baseball and wiffle ball in their backyard, climbing trees (Wally was our Tarzan),and we played until it was too dark to see ! Those were sweeter,innocent days back then. As we all grew older and raised families, there were periods of years where we didn't see each other, but somehow we always found a way to re-connect and found that friendship does indeed remain strong. There so many sweet memories I can think of from our younger days ! Wally would be the first to admit he was somewhat of a hellion in his younger days, and he would get put on restriction at home,but if I walked down the hill and asked if he could come out to play, it always worked and I could "break him out" LOL !! While he was in Vietnam he sent me a Vietnamese paper money, and I have had that in my wallet ever since (45 years), and it will remain there always ! Anytime anyone asked him how he was, his reply would always be "Fantastic" which is where his Mr.Fantastic title derived from! I can't think of a more generous friend than Wally was, and he was much loved by all who knew him! I certainly loved him like a brother, and I always will ! RIP my dear friend

Robin Shinn

October 17, 2023

To all of Wally´s family,
My family and I are very sorry to hear of Wally´s passing.
He and his family were close family friends of mine for many years.
Our condolences to all his family and friends.

The Shinn Family

Linda Podbielski Reddy

October 17, 2023

Wally´s family, I´m sorry for your loss. Growing up he was one of my protective cousins. We had lots on
of fun growing up on Poquonock Rd. Tarzan´s swings to hide and seek. Love you Wally. God rest.

Alfred P. Mayo

October 17, 2023

To Post from the Mayo's Family our pray sent to you all for healing of your loss of Wally who we all knew the whole families living in Groton. His service to our country is our greatest honors, our freedom. GOD bless him forever more.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results