Obituary: Donald G. Walkley, 97, Of Shelton

Information via Cody-White Funeral Home

Donald G. Walkley, 97, of Shelton, beloved husband of the late Natalie Walkley, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Bishop Wicke Health Center in Shelton.

Born on May 28, 1925, in Bridgeport, CT, he was the son of the late William and Ethel Walkley.

Donald enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and trained as a mechanic for F4U Corsair aircraft. He was deployed to Marine bases in the South Pacific in the latter days of World War II and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1946. During the war, Donald began to exchange letters with his future wife, Natalie, who became the love of his life. After his discharge from the Marines, they married, had five children, and remained together for 68 years until her passing in 2014.

After the war, Donald entered the sheet metal trade and became a lifelong member of Sheet Metal Workers' Local 38. Later in his career, he became an owner of John F. Motto Company, a position he held until his retirement. Donald stayed involved in the construction trades post-retirement as an estimator for Connecticut Sheet Metal Company.

Donald remained active in his retirement. He became an avid runner, participating in many CT Senior Olympic events. He also served as a volunteer State Long Term Care Ombudsman for the CT Department of Social Services, advocating for the rights of Connecticut's nursing home residents. An adult convert to the Roman Catholic faith, Donald was a devoted parishioner for more than 60 years at St. Mary Church, Milford, CT. During that time, he belonged to the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Parish Council.

Donald is survived by his four sons, Donald (Michele) Walkley of Buckeye, AZ, David (Clare) Walkley of Redondo Beach, CA, John (Nancy) Walkley of Trumbull, and Timothy (Susan) Walkley of Port St. Lucie, FL, and a daughter, Ann (Paul) Rockwell of Milford; ten grandchildren, Kelly (Daniel) Chesson, Kristen (Frank) Terry, Shawn (Amanda) Walkley, Andrew Walkley, Timothy (Melissa) Walkley, Alison (Justin) Simmel, Emily Walkley, Benjamin Walkley, Kevin Rockwell, and Brian Rockwell; thirteen great-grandchildren, Ava, Mackenzie, Molly, Niamh, Jacob, Lynnie, Nico, Tyler, Charlotte, Ella, Lily, Sadie, and Nora, his brother, James (Colleen) Walkley, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Natalie Walkley, his brother, William Walkley, Jr., his sister, Joan Cole, and his granddaughter, Katie Walkley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 70 Gulf Street, Milford. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, 315 Buckingham Avenue, Milford. The family is being compassionately cared for by the staff at Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford, CT 06460.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Red Cross.