Walter J. Treacy, 78, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully Dec. 5, 2021, at RWJBH Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch.
A lifelong resident of Monmouth County, Walter was born Sept. 24, 1943 and grew up in the River Plaza community of Red Bank. He graduated from Middletown High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in industrial arts education and a Master of Arts in career education from Trenton State College.
As a well-respected teacher and coach, Walter taught industrial arts education at Wall Township Intermediate School for 32 years, developed their first robotics program and coached boys soccer and girls softball. At Rumson Country Day School, Walter taught wood shop for an additional 19 years, with an enhanced curriculum that included robotics, advanced carpentry and boatbuilding.
In addition to his teaching career, Walter worked in the custom fence industry for over 50 years and became known as a specialist for designing and installing enclosures for horse farms, local theme parks, athletic fields, custom residential pools and municipal projects.
With a passion for local history and the Jersey Shore, Walter was an active member of the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association. He led workshops on boatbuilding and actively participated in the restoration of the Grover House, the NMHA Headquarters.
Walter was committed to serving his community as a member of the Oceanport Lions Club, assisted with building the Oceanport Lions Swim Club and was also appointed to the Oceanport Planning Board. He was a licensed Zamboni driver, played ice hockey and was active in the Oceanport Men’s Softball League. He organized students to clear trails for the Monmouth County Parks System and donated hundreds of hours to build sets and props for Shore Players and many other school theater programs.
Walter was predeceased by his parents Harry B. and Jessie S. Treacy and his older brother Harry T. Treacy. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia B. Treacy (Royce) of Oceanport, his two daughters, Shelley A. Treacy of Sea Bright and Megan Treacy Kwitkin, along with her husband Paul Kwitkin of West Long Branch. He was adored by his grandchildren Jacob and Connor Kwitkin.
He is also the brother of Joseph M. Treacy and his wife Diane of Simsbury, Connecticut.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A Celebration of Life service and blessing will begin at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Walter J. Treacy Memorial Fund at the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association at navesinkmartime.org.
The article originally appeared in the December 15 – 22, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
