Walter J. Wagner

Walter Joseph Wagner passed away on February 10th, 2024 at the age of 88 surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with leukemia. Walter was born on January 11, 1936 in Holyoke, Massachusetts to Walter and Phyllis Wagner. He was the first born child and older brother to his sister Constance. As a child ‘Cappy’ (as known to his friends and cousins) had a devilish sense of humor. He always said it like it was and was not one to mince words. He worked hard and played hard, enjoying hanging out with friends at one of his favorite spots, Nick's Nest, a local hot dog eatery. As Walt grew up he developed a love of music, and in high school he began playing his clarinet and tenor sax in a local band. People who know Walt know that his music became one of the most important parts of who he was. Walt’s first love was polka music, harkening back to his polish heritage, but he also was an accomplished big band musician and leader. Walt was always in some type of band throughout his life, whether it be the ‘Uncalled Four’ in the 1970’s or the Serenaders Big Band later in life. In fact, Walter was the dedicated leader of the Serenaders for 30 years. In this capacity, he grew the following of his band and expanded the range of where they played. He also developed the smaller ‘Polka Serenaders’ band which developed its own groupies. Walt produced four different ‘Polka Serenaders’ albums, including ‘Raised on Polkas’ and ‘I Love to Polka with My Carolcia’. Speaking of Carolcia.. You can’t talk about Walt without talking about his wife of 63 years, Carol. The only thing Walt loved more than his music was his family, Carol in particular. Carol and Walt met, fell in love almost instantly and then married in 1960. They went on to raise two daughters, Jenny and Laura, and developed a beautiful life together. They journeyed through both good times and bad, moved to different states (Massachusetts, Delaware, and Michigan) for Walt’s job with Hercules Chemical Company, and purchased their beach house in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. This summer home became their refuge and was well loved by the whole family. Walt taught the girls how to bodysurf, and Laura and Jenny have fond memories of their childhood days out surfing the big waves with their dad and the other men. Carol could always be found on the beach, not daring to dip a toe in the cold surf. A perfect day for Walt would be a day out body surfing the waves, a cookout of ‘hamburgs’ and hotdogs with the family and a night playing in his polka band - maybe at the Polka Spree by the Sea. Walt also enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, Alex and Tom, when they came to visit. In their later years, Walt and Carol became Florida snowbirds, spending the winters in their condo in the Ocean Trail community of Jupiter. Here they enjoyed spending time at the beach and pool and playing bridge with their friends and neighbors. Lastly, people who knew Walt would tell you he knew his paper chemicals. Walt earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic in Massachusetts. Then after he spent a few years in the navy as the chief entertainment officer (where he actually met Elvis), Walt went on to work in chemical sales at Hercules Chemical Company, specializing in defoamers and wax emulsions. After 30 years with Hercules, Walt retired and started a second career with Hase Petroleum Wax Company. He found a real home with the Hase people and was well loved by both the Hase people and his friends at ARG and Langboard alike. He loved his associates with Hase so much that he kept working with them until his death. He loved going on the road to call on customers in Willacoochee, Georgia (hello Shelley!) or in other states. Walter was a very good, generous, and kindhearted man. He is dearly loved and will be dearly missed. Walter is survived by his sister Constance Lust, his wife, Carol, his daughters Laura Wagner and Jenny Traynor, and his grandsons, Alex and Tom Denham. A funeral service for Walter will be held at 10:30 on March 9th at the First United Methodist Church of Jupiter on Indiantown Road. Flowers can be sent to the church or in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Walter’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The service for Walter Wagner will be live streamed and can be accessed through the church website at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOJpehSukRg https://www.jupitermethodist.org/

Walter J. Wagner

January 11, 1936 - February 10, 2024