Walter Geercken was born on December 25, 1931 in Hamburg, Germany, the only child of Joachim Walter and Maria Geercken. He died this past Sunday on June 28, 2020, after surviving with pancreatic cancer for more than three years.
Walter grew up in wartime Germany, for the most part separated from his family, and was determined to leave Germany as soon as he was able. Walter’s opportunity came in early 1953, when he departed on a freighter for the United States with nothing more than his training as a nurseryman and gardener. Upon arriving in New York, his goal was to continue his education and training in horticulture by working in nurseries in the New York area in the spring and summer seasons, and in florists in the fall and winter months. That training was interrupted only by his stint in the U.S. military in the mid- to late 1950s, after which he succeeded in becoming a U.S. citizen (one of the proudest days of his life). He then continued his work as a nurseryman and florist, ultimately meeting his wife of 58 years, Mary, while he worked as a florist and she as a cashier at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Mary was a recent Irish immigrant and devout Catholic. Although not a Catholic until baptized and confirmed on his death bed, Walter was a spiritual man and strong supporter of the Catholic church. Mary’s large Irish family embraced Walter and he them. Through his work, he happily beautified the gardens and homes of the entire family.
Together Walter and Mary built a life for themselves on the south shore of Long Island in the Village of Freeport where Walter worked as a nurseryman and gardener at the Atlantic Nursery for more than 40 years. He helped grow the Nursery with his closest friends – including Sig Feile, Hans Goldhagen and Rudi and Wolfgang Harbauer – who became more like family. At the same time, Walter and Mary raised three children and became active members of the Freeport community, hosting foreign visitors, becoming exchange parents to a young Australian, Nick Murfett, and volunteering at and supporting Our Holy Redeemer Church. Walter was also a dedicated Rotarian and served as his chapter’s President. When he finally retired, he joined Mary at the soup kitchen volunteering. During his early days in New York, both the Salvation Army and the YMCA helped him. He did his best to return the favors he received by routinely taking his turn at the bell every Christmas season and providing financial support and free gardening services to the YMCA when he was established.
In later years, Walter and Mary moved to Langhorne PA, and later to Lewisville, TX, where they became active members of those communities, attending the local churches (St. Ignatius in Langhorne and St. Ann’s in Coppell). Walter was awarded Volunteer of the Year at the Fairless Hills YMCA, receiving a special commendation from the governor, and he contributed and designed plantings for several other organizations and friends. Thanks to Walter’s efforts, the grounds of each of those was left more beautiful than before his arrival. Aside from his profound focus on the cultivation of living plants, the nurturing and education of his children and his grandchildren were of primary concern. To quote the grandchildren, “Opa always respected our intelligence, listened to our concerns and shared knowledge and ideas all through his life.”
Mary predeceased Walter by two weeks on June 13. After saying goodbye to Mary and getting his affairs in order, he joined her this past Sunday on June 28. Walter is survived by their children and their respective spouses, Maria and Chris Herrel, Karl and Monica Geercken (née Mukherji) and Elisabeth and William Daron Cole; their grandchildren: Phillip Anil Geercken, Sean Walter Geercken, Christopher Gerard Herrel, Julia Frances Herrel, Kenneth William Cole, Ryan Charles Cole, Nikolas Walter Cole and Martin Patrick Cole; cousin, Hans Juergen Geercken and his wife Hannelore Geercken, cousin Joern Henze, Gisela Vollert, wife of Siegfriend Vollert, his cousin and their many nephews and nieces.
Walter loved his family and his work. In lieu of sending his surviving family flowers on the occasion of his passing, the family would prefer that you send flowers or a plant to someone you love. Walter’s charity of choice was Catholic Charities.
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