Walter Stayvas, 67, passed away on Friday, July 21 at home surrounded by his family and bolstered by the love of all those who supported him on his cancer journey. Born and raised in Irvington, NJ, he moved to South Plainfield in 1966 and graduated from South Plainfield High School in 1968. He was drafted into the United States Army from 1969-1971 and deployed to Vietnam where he served as a gunner on an M-42 duster. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a “V” device for valor in combat. He later became a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of America--Central New Jersey Chapter 233.
He married Diane (Dee) Margulski in 1975 and settled in South Plainfield where they raised their children.
Formerly a mechanic at Royal Foods, Walt worked at Thermo King East as the sales manager for 31 years where he made many lasting friendships.
Along with his devoted wife, Walt worked hard to maintain a beautiful home, send his kids to college, take them on vacation, and fund their every artistic, athletic, and leisure pursuit. A quietly brilliant man, he could give directions to any location in the NY-NJ area and could design, build, and fix anything including cars, houses, plumbing, and appliances, not to mention his kids’ many school projects and investment dilemmas.
Walt believed in financial literacy, proper car maintenance, careful research, family dinners, and no free lunch.
In his spare time, he enjoyed making home improvements, cruising with his family, chatting with his Matis Street neighbors, attending VVA meetings, drinking Gentleman Jack, listening to music (especially the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert), and watching Law & Order. His favorite character was Munch.
He is predeceased by his mother Catherine, his father Walter, and his beloved miniature dachshund Stumpy.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dee, his son Scott and daughter Robin, his sister-in-laws, brother-in-law, and many cousins, neighbors, and friends.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 24, 2017 from 4-8pm in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals at 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 beginning at 9:15am in the funeral home followed by a 10am funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church.
Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walt’s name to the Vietnam Veterans of America--Central New Jersey Chapter 233, P.O. Box 10251, New Brunswick, NJ 08906.
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