Walter John Golec of Moodus passed into eternal life on January 4, 2026, at the age of 97.

He was the son of John and Katherine Budney Golec and a lifelong resident of Moodus.  He leaves his beloved wife of 70 years, Josephine Barry, and two daughters, Sharon (Roland) Keniger of Paris, France, and Kathleen Golec of Moodus, as well as his cherished grandson Daniel (Anna) Keniger of Paris.

Walt was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed.

A graduate of Nathan Hale-Ray High School, class of 1946, he attended the University of Hartford and was employed  as a facilities engineer at United Technologies in East Hartford and Middletown for 32 years.  Walt served with the Connecticut National Guard and was an Army veteran of the Korean War, serving in Japan in Battery C of the 238th AAA Gun Battalion.

He served his community on the Board of Education, Economic Development Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Town Charter Commission, East Haddam Senior Center Building Committee and the Senior Housing Board.  Walt enjoyed politics and was the East Haddam Campaign Coordinator for the late State Senator Eileen Daily for twenty years.  A member of the East Haddam Lions Club for over fifty years, Walt was a past President and a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, the highest honor in Lionism, as well as the Knight of the Blind Award.  He was also a member of the Middletown Elks Club, the American Legion Baron Smith Golec Post 156, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3336 and the Knights of Columbus Council 6190.  He was a lifelong parishioner of Saint Bridget of Kildare in Moodus.

Besides spending time with his family, Walt enjoyed working around the yard, home renovation projects, puttering around his MG and socializing with his many friends, especially his coffee group.  Among his travels, he made several trips to Poland, the land of his ancestors.  Walt was especially close to his uncle Peter, who was killed in World War II.  We hope that they have been reunited for eternity.

Visiting hours will be at Saint Bridget of Kildare Church on Moodus Leesville Road in Moodus at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with Mass at 11:00 A.M.  Burial with full military honors will follow at Saint Bridget Cemetery on North Moodus Road, followed by a reception in Saint Bridget of Kildare Church Hall.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Haddam VFW Post 3336 or to the East Haddam Senior Center.