Devoted son, brother, husband, and father Walter John Starkey, "Walt", 85, passed away quietly at his family home in Merritt Island Florida on February 27, 2024. He is survived by wife Sylvia, children Kim LaFrance (Kevin), Bruce, Mike and Suz and grandchildren Elizabeth, Emily, David, Sarah, Brad and Sylas; siblings Joseph, Ronald and Helene and nieces and nephews and their children. He is preceded in death by his parents Walter Joseph Starkey and Helen Rajkowski Starkey, his older brother George, son-in-law Don Freeman and beautiful granddaughter Erin. Walt was born on May 26, 1938, in Ashland, Pennsylvania and grew up in the small coal mining town of Mahanoy City, PA. He graduated from high school in 1955 and entered the US Air Force in July 1958, being assigned to Patrick AFB Florida where he would begin his lifelong career with the US space program. After meeting on a blind date set up by his Air Force buddy Vic (future brother-in-law), in 1962 Walt married Sylvia Leonard (twin sister of Vic's wife Mickey) and settled into the home on Merritt Island they would live in for over 40 years. Walt was a talented and self-taught "handy man" and would remodel that home many times as their family grew to four children. His devotion to family was reflected in summer vacations to visit extended family in Pennsylvania and Virginia and many camping trips in their "pop up" camper. After his four years in the Air Force, Walt worked for numerous private and government space agencies, being especially proud of his years spent working with the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. Walt and Sylvia were lifelong members of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, where Walt was a proud and dedicated member of the adult choir and enjoyed not only sharing his tenor voice but all the friendships with fellow choir members. Upon retirement in 2005, Walt enjoyed golfing, volunteering as a tour guide/docent with the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum, and many visits with his children and grandchildren, especially enjoying playing cards and dinners at Sonny's. He continued to stay in touch with former coworkers and catching up with neighbors while walking his dog Samson. He has an extra special place in his children's hearts for the sacrificial love and care he gave Sylvia as she experienced dementia the last few years. The family thanks all those who have been special in Walt's life, especially those that helped care for him and Sylvia the last year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Walt's name to St. Vincent de Paul, Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 1940 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, Florida 32953.
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