Walter F. Gannon, Jr., 86, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on, Thursday, February 1, 2018, in Wallingford, CT. He was born in New Haven to the late Walter and Anna (Meroth) Gannon in 1931. Walter was predeceased by his wife and elementary school sweetheart, Lois “Betty Lou” Carter, this past December after 61 years of marriage. He was predeceased by two sisters, Ann “Nancy” Halligan of Seymour and Arlene Murphy of New Haven.
He is survived by his six loving children: sons, Daniel of Hamden and Eric of Cheshire; daughters, Tracey (John) Rogers of North Haven, Maureen (Peter) DeRose of East Haven, Mary Catherine (Kevin) Degnan of Madison and Ann (Daniel) Sivori of Vermont; five grandchildren Lindsey, Danielle, Troy, Albert and Jessica as well as three great-granddaughters Rowan, Sienna and Willow. Walter is also survived by his brother, Edward Gannon of North Haven; sisters, Janyce Gilman of Branford, Marilyn Kozin of New Haven and Margie Slater of West Haven; brother-in-laws John Halligan of Seymour and James Murphy of New Haven. He is also survived by many adoring nieces and nephews.
Walter graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School, which was the foundation of his lifelong commitment to the Catholic faith. He later graduated from James Hillhouse High School in 1949. An Army veteran during the Korean War serving in Europe, Walter remained an extremely patriotic American until his death. He was employed by Southern New England Telephone Company for 33 years as a lineman and installer before retiring in 1989. Walter traveled extensively with his wife throughout the USA as well as internationally. His attention to detail and Irish gift of storytelling allowed him to recite every moment of those trips, which held his audience captive. Walter’s love of athletics led him to become a Nautilus instructor at the Hamden YMCA and a life guard/swimming coach at the North Haven Community Pool during his retirement. Walter was extremely fit and competed in numerous triathlons as well as the annual Cross Harbor Swim from 1980 to 1993. He belonged to the Hamden Tsunami Swim Team of the Connecticut Masters Swim Club and for over 20 years he could be found every Sunday morning at the Brownstone Diner in Hamden with his faithful Sleeping Giant Pacers Running buddies Al, Jack, Gerry & Sid. He would also meet retired SNET colleagues every Tuesday morning at Panera Bread for life discussions and friendship. He was a member of the Elks Club both New Haven and Hamden for 25 years. Walter spent every weekday morning at the Breakfast Nook in North Haven where he held a celebrity-like status thanks to the incredible work staff and owners. He is famously remembered for the last 20 years as “the guy on the scooter” attending Yale football games and tailgating parties as well as riding through downtown New Haven traversing his old stomping grounds. He was the “unofficial mayor” of his Bassett Road neighborhood in which he interacted on a daily basis with neighbors while smoking his cigars. He had a love for telling stories and making connections with people and has touched thousands of lives over the years. Most importantly, Walter was intensely proud of his Irish-American heritage and the ancestors who immigrated to the Hill Neighborhood of New Haven. Walter made everyone feel special and he had a strong sense of purpose. His family finds solace knowing he is once again reunited with his wife and together they dance in celebration of a life well lead. The family would especially like to acknowledge his friend and aide Tina Goriss who cared for him the last several years. Her kindness and compassion put Walter at ease during difficult times, which in turn comforted his children knowing he was in good hands. The family would also like to thank the staff and Johnson apartment community at Masonic Health Care for their friendship. A 1993 stroke caused left side paralysis, however, the My-Ride of Greater New Haven Transit helped keep his spirit and freedom alive as the drivers would take him and his scooter to regular planned excursions and for that, his family is grateful.
Family and friends are invited to go directly to St. Frances Cabrini Church, 57 Pond Hill Road, North Haven of Wednesday morning Feb. 7th at 10:00 to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in the All Saints Mausoleum with full military honors. The visiting hours will be Tuesday, Feb. 6th from 4 to 7 pm in the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hamden Elks Lodge #2224, 175 School Street, Hamden, CT 06518
Sure wish I had the opportunity to meet him and enjoy some tales with a nice stogie. Lovely tribute to him, Gannon family ❤ Based on my own friendship with one of your clan, his legacy will live forever in so many hearts. God bless all of you!
To the entire family of Walter, I am so sorry for your loss! May God Bless him and keep him! XOXOO
Our condolences to all of your family Annie. We send you our love and prayers.
It is with deepest sorrow we hear of your fathers passing. Our Love and Prayers go out to you and your family. May your dad Rest In Peace. He will always be with you in your heart. Keep the memories close to you and you will smile and remember.
I am very sorry for your loss. May he be at peace with his love ones in heaven. May all those he left behind remember him with love and happiness.
Annie and Dan and all the Gannon family members. My deepest condolences to all of you. Your Dad was a man who never met a stranger. I loved running into him as he “strolled” the streets of downtown New Haven. I know you are finding solace in the knowledge he is with your mom, the love of his life. Hold on to the memories of them and they will live as long as you do. God hoods them both in the palm of Hos hand. ❤️❤️❤️💔💚🇮🇪☘️
We are so sorry to hear of Walters passing. He always had a smile when we would stop and talk. We met him a little over 17 years ago. He did a mommy and me swim program. My daughter was about six months old at the time. Every time we saw him we would stop and catch up. He always remembered my daughters name. I just told my daughter. She sends her condolences also.
So sorry to learn this. I met Walter when he taught my son and daughter to swim at the North Haven pool. Wonderful instructor. I continued to see him at the Breakfast Nook and he always remembered my kids and husband. My thought and prayers are with you during this time. He will be greatly missed.
Maureen and family I am truly sorry for your loss, after reading this wonderful tribute to your father , you all must have been so proud of the the full and honorable life he shared with so many, remember the good times and they will always be with you , sincerely the Silengos
Heartfelt condolences to the Gannon family. Your dad was our neighborhood mayor, always a friendly word of advice for our boys and cookies for the dogs. He will be missed but he strong spirit will be with you and everyone he touched forever. ❤ God bless you Walter.
To the Gannon family. I am so sorry to hear of your dads passing. What a great man and for those of you who didn’t know he would drive his scooter by my house daily and my dog would go ballistic knowing he had a cookie for her. Not a big thing to slot of people but shows his compassion and I always talked to him and enjoyed our brief visits. Heaven has gained another angel. Rip 😍
Brother you are one of a kind. I will forever miss you.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
Tracey & family, So sorry for your loss. You must have some wonderful memories!
Tracy, I am so sorry for your loss, but happy they are reunited! ❤️
Tracey mary and family sending you prayers and loved enjoyed my evening with Walter he was a very kind man Tracey thanks so much for the time with your dad
My sincerest condolences to the Gannon Family as well as all those whose life he touched with all his Generosity and Devoted appreciation for life and those around him. He lived a wonderful, Caring life and may now Join the love of his Life as they Dance there way thru the Heavens. God Bless You All and Prayers for Peace!
Our deepest sympathy to you all. Dan, Tracey, Eric. And all the family. We are so sorry for your loss. May your dad rest in peace.
My sincerest condolences to the Gannon Family. I met your father when the police department was being renovated back in the 80’s. He was working for S.N.E.T.. He was a great guy and I had a lot of fun with him. Then when he became ill, I’d see him riding his scooter all over town. smoking his cigar. The weather never tied him down. His presence will be missed.
Jeanette and I send our thoughts and prayers to you Ann and Dan and all your family on Dads passing. Never had the pleasure of knowing him but I can see every word spoken of him reflected in you Ann. You have his zest for life in all you do as we both follow your social media posts.
His legacy lives on in you as will his memory and his love of life.
God Bless, and may he Rest In Peace and forever happiness with Mum.
I’m so sorry for your loss ! Losing Nancy, Arlene, Ma and now Walter, has taken a lot of great memories away. I’m so glad I had them. The Gannon family has been a big part of my life, that I will never forget!!!! RIP WALTER !!!!!
Mary Catherine, l am so sorry for your
loss. You were a wonderful daughter
you made your dad happy. Hold onto
the “happy” in this very sad time.
Love, Pat
I am so very sorry to hear about both your mom and dad. Unfortunately I was not aware they passed until a few days ago when my son forwarded the obit from the SNET site. Your parents were absolutely the greatest people and my heart is broken that they are both gone, but happy they are together. They truly shared quite a love story, meeting in grade school, married for 61 years and passing within a month of each other, it’s pretty amazing; I’m sure your dad is causing quite a commotion in heaven. He was always so funny and in such a good mood even after his stroke whenever we got together, he never let it get him down, he always amazed me. I will remember them and your whole family in my thoughts and my prayers, hugs to you all.