Walter G. Gerstenlauer

Walter G. “Walt” Gerstenlauer, 92, of East Hartford, loving husband of over 64 years of Emily M. (Vasko) Gerstenlauer, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 22, 2025 after a long illness. Born in Hartford on February 26, 1933, a son of the late Walter G. and Alice P. (Vanesse) Gerstenlauer, he had resided in East Hartford since 1960. Walt was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War where he was a member of the 551st Periodic Maintenance Squadron. He later was a member of the American Legion Post 14 in Vernon.

Walt started his career in the 1960’s at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks where he worked in the “White Room” making the space suits for the astronauts to wear. After Hamilton Standard, Walt was a Master Mechanic for over 40 years at the Manchester Honda Dealership in Manchester. Walt loved cars and refurbishing automobiles for he and his family to drive. He was a talented former 10-pin bowler who participated in several area leagues, and was a good volleyball player who played the sport well into his 70’s. He was a fan of the New York Giants football team and former Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. Proud of his mother’s Irish heritage, he was a member of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury and liked watching old movies. Most of all, Walt was a caring husband, father, and grandfather who cherished his time spent with his entire family.

In addition to his devoted wife, Walt is survived by his two beloved daughters, Sharon McDermott and her husband Timothy of Durham, Lynne Massey and her husband John of Tolland; two adored grandchildren, Timothy McDermott and Taylor McDermott both of Durham. He also leaves a brother, Gary Gerstenlauer and his wife Cheryl of Stafford; a sister, Doreen Churchill and her husband Burton of Old Saybrook; a sister-in-law, Barbara Hofferth of Middletown; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Besides his parents, Walt was predeceased by two sisters, Barbara Gerstenlauer and Karen Gokey, both of East Hartford.

Funeral service will be Tuesday (September 2nd) at 11 am at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, (Section 2), Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury. Walt’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday morning from 10-11 am at the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Walter’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com