Walter Louis Wynkoop Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Walter Louis Wynkoop – was born on March 13, 1930 to Robert and Caroline Wynkoop in Bronx, NY. He attended the New York Public School System and graduated from Evander High. At the age of 14, he joined the National Guard and entered into Officer Candidate School. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Walter was drafted as a Second Lieutenant with the United States Army and proudly served his country. On July 7, 1953, Walter received the Silver Star and Purple Heart for single handedly saving his entire platoon while engaging in fierce combat with North Korean and Communist Chinese troops at Pork Chop Hill. After his honorary discharge, Walter returned to the Bronx to marry the love of his life, Catherine Ruth Reidy on April 25, 1954. Ruth was his childhood sweetheart who happened to live across the hall in their apartment building on Beach Avenue. They shared 63 years together of a very special marriage. Walter’s career spanned 45 years in the textile industry from his humble beginnings as a buyer for J.C. Penny to becoming the President of Jackson Enterprises, a textile firm based out of New York City. After his retirement Walter and Ruthie enjoyed traveling the world and volunteering with numerous organizations. Walter shared his love of family and commitment volunteering with Pre-Cana. His religious beliefs as a Eucharistic Minister and with Hospice Care. His compassion for helping others in need volunteering for SHIP, Meals on Wheels, and Homeshare. His knowledge and keen business sense with SCORE (Somerset County Organization of Retired Executives). His belief in fairness and equality volunteering with Consumer Affairs and his love for his country as a founding father of the Canal Walk Veteran’s Club. Walter’s love of the beach life was enjoyed at his beach house on LBI affectionately called “Beauty and the Beach” where Walter was blessed to spend many years entertaining and creating memories for his family and friends. Walter enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a hero to his family. He was happiest when the house was filled with the laughter of his family. His legacy is his kind and humble spirit, love for his family and the importance of spending time with your loved ones. He enjoyed cooking for family and friends and made a mean martini. He was a wonderful story teller and had a witty sense of humor. He is predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Catherine Ruth Wynkoop, his parents and his brother, Robert Wynkoop. Walter is survived by his five loving children, sons Kenneth J Wynkoop and wife Kim of Waterford, CT, Christopher J Wynkoop and wife Christine of Bridgewater, NJ, Thomas A Wynkoop and wife Karen of Middlesex, NJ; his daughters Caroline McCrone and husband Ben of Lebanon, NJ and Margaret Pfingst of Lebanon Township, NJ and Karl Pfingst of Warren Township, NJ. His six cherished grandchildren and 4 precious great grandchildren. The viewing will be on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 5 to 8 PM at the Ketusky Funeral Home, 1310 Brooks Blvd., Manville, NJ 08835. The Funeral will be on Friday, June 21, 2019 8:45 AM from the Ketusky Funeral Home followed by a 10:00 AM Mass at St. Joseph Church, Millstone Borough, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walter’s name to Catholic Charities. The patriarch may be gone, but his spirit will live forever… Love you Pops

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Walter Louis Wynkoop

March 13, 1930 - June 16, 2019