John Walter

BELGRADE – John Walter passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2025, at the age of 86 years, at Bedside Manor Memory Care Facility in Oakland. He was previously a long-time resident of Belgrade, along with his loving wife, Ellen.

John was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on March 1, 1939. In 1957 he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served onboard a destroyer as a machinist until his honorable discharge in 1961. Upon his discharge he moved to New Jersey where he built a house and worked as a Numerical Control Computer Programmer, and also where he met his future wife, Ellen, and married her on March 20, 1971.

John was a talented carpenter, and after their wedding they built two more houses together. During this time, John started his long and proud career with the New Jersey State Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer at the Garden state Prison. John worked his way up through the ranks to a position of captain. After 25 years of service, John retired as the captain in charge of the operational ad administrative functions at the New Jersey State Corrections Officers Training Academy in Trenton, N.J.

Upon his retirement in 1995, John and Ellen moved to Maine. At first settling in Rome and soon after moved to Belgrade. While living in Maine, John again worked for a short period of time as a machinist at Wrabacon, Inc. in Oakland.

John was a lover of music. He also loved being on the water. He and Ellen always had a boat of some kind to cruise around while living in New Jersey and when they moved to Maine.

John was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Pauline Walter; along with his four sisters, Betty, Gertrude, Erna and Elsie.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen (Reed) Walter of 54 years; and many nieces and nephews.

John and Ellen are blessed with many good friends, including Richard and Trisha Wurpel. Richard has known John for over 52 years. Richard was a constant visitor while John was at Bedside Manor. They had many “tall tails” to reminisce.

Ellen would like to especially thank the entire caring and loving staff, under the direction of Scott McManaman, at Bedside Manor. They treated him and Ellen with kindness, understanding and compassion during a most difficult and trying time of John’s life.

A graveside service is planned for May 15, at 10 a.m. at the Pine Grove Cemetery, Belgrade.

In lieu of flowers, Ellen requests that donations be made in John’s memory to:

Bedside Manor

Memory Care Facility

210 Country Club Rd.

Oakland, ME 04963