No matter what name you called him, “Wally, brother, nephew, cousin, Walt, Uncle, Dad, Walter, Walter J, WALTER J – TLMA, (The Luckiest Man Alive), friend, Papa J - you wouldn’t find a more charismatic man whose voice and personality was larger than life.

Walter was taken by cancer far sooner than anyone expected. He departed this earth on Thursday, September 10th, at 5:37a.m. While at the Hospice House in Concord, NH, he was blessed with care that surrounded him with peace, dignity, and compassion.

Walter leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Gloria (Campopiano). Two sons, Vincent (Shannon) and Shane (Amy.) His sisters Tonya (Ken) Bahner, and Rebecca (Ken) Keen. Sean (Mary Lou) McKeag, loved like a son, a sister-in-law Madelyn (Neal) Hohman, Uncle to Jamie Campopiano and the late Jerrod Rohrer. A Great Uncle to Chesnee Sposito. His grandsons who will carry on his legacy and Smith name: Luca, Enzo, Milo and Sergio, along with Grandchild #5, still to arrive, and numerous relatives and friends across the states.

Walter was born in Wooster, Ohio. His parents were the late John and Eleanor Smith. Residing in Westerville, Ohio, Walter attended Westerville South High School. He went on to Vanderbilt University, and graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical and Materials Engineering. He had 30+ years of various positions as a Project Manager/Consultant in the construction and residential field. He was an advocate for the trades industry.

In 1986, residing in Cambridge, OH, and working at the E. G. Smith Construction Products, Inc. plant, a promotion had Walter moving to the headquarters in Emsworth, PA. As he was familiarizing himself with the office layout, while wearing his 3-piece light blue leisure suit, 1980’s big eyeglasses, and a full head of hair and beard, he met his future bride, Gloria, with her big hair, purple dress and pink high heels. It was lust/love at first sight! They dated secretly due to company rules of not dating a co-worker. It was finally decided during Christmas, 1988 - Walter with his short last name; Gloria with the new multi-disk CD changer (the start of Walter’s Jimi Hendrix CD collection), it was a match made in heaven. They married in Westerville, OH, in 1989.

Also in 1989 , Walter was involved with a Christian mentoring program, Youth Guidance, Inc. There he met his “little buddy”, Sean McKeag. What started out as weekly time together, Sean soon became a part of our lives. Walter cherished not only being a mentor through the years, but also a father figure, a connection he held dearly for over 35 years. Walter and Gloria welcomed their first son in 1991, Vincent, and then Shane in 1993. Walter found great fulfillment in shaping his sons’ values and character as they were growing up. He took pride in seeing the strong, responsible, successful, caring husbands and fathers they have become. A total reflection of his own upbringing.

Walter knew how to make a first impression. He was known for his colorful collection of bandanas (a.k.a. ascots), loved playing air guitar while listening to Hendrix and the Grateful Dead, playing horseshoes and disc golf. Walter was an involved and dedicated high school sports and activities dad. Loved having bon fires in the backyard, road trips, DIY projects, the closeness of his family, trips to Kentucky for the bourbon tours, swimming in the ocean, to name a few. His accomplishments in life included being a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), a third-degree Mason, a student of Concept Therapy, Sunday School teacher, a leader in the Kairos Prison Ministry, a life-long Lutheran. He was involved with many networking and charitable organizations. As a Certified Life Coach, he called himself a Speachor: SPeaker, tEAcher, coaCH, motivatOR. He quietly guided many young people, becoming a steady and trusted mentor in their lives. And let’s not forget, an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, no matter where he lived.

Just like his bandanas, Walter led a very colorful life. “Fare you well, fare you well, we love you more than words can tell“ 

Please join us for a Memorial Luncheon: November 1, 2026, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, at the Good Shepherd / St. James Church Fellowship Hall, located at 2238 Parade Road Laconia, NH 03246.

Celebration of Life will be planned in Pittsburgh, PA at a future date.