Initially, on behalf of the family we would acknowledge with great gratitude the extraordinary medical and personal care extended by Mountainside Hospital staff, but most particularly Dr. Fran Wanat and his fellow doctors at Montclair Cardiology, their services were so meaningful, appreciative and above anything ordinary.
 

Also, thanks to the many, many people that visited Walt over the last 7 weeks. His daughter in law Laura Connell remarked that Walt already had his own wake by his ability to converse with the constant stream of friends. We thank them for their friendship.
 

A few weeks ago I was visiting Walter at Mountainside Hospital. He was very non responsive and the nurse was trying to rouse him. She said "Come on George, your friend is here." I said "no wonder you can't rouse him, his name is Walter." She said "Come on, Walter" and he opened his eyes. In his world he was Walter.
 

The confusion doesn't end, however, with his first name. He was "Walt CONnell." His cousins Bill, Skip & Jim were Con-NELL. I was driving Walt to Dr. Wanat's office some weeks ago and Walt started talking and reminiscing about his family, not in a maudlin way, just remembering. He said, "my wise guy cousin Bill Con-NELL told me - 'Walt if you pronounced your name Con-NELL you would have been 6'2" like us.'"
 

Walt may have been short in stature but he was a GIANT in all aspects of his life.
 

In the law, he was considered by colleagues and opponents as outstanding not only in his knowledge of the law but revered for his absolute integrity. Exercising that integrity did not mean he was meek and mild. He was no shrinking violet. The word feisty has been used often to describe his tenacity. Walt, as you know, received many honors but he was especially proud to receive the McLaughlin award for professionalism, courtesy and competence, the highest compliment the organized bar can bestow to acknowledge a lawyer's integrity. The award was particularly rewarding to Walt since it was named for his longtime friend and a pallbearer today, Jim McLaughlin.
 

Few people realize that Walt, in his early practice, devoted his time, energy and considerable talents almost exclusively to courtroom litigation. But in 1961 when Robert Shaw became a federal judge, Walt agreed to assume a vital role in the firm in place of Judge Shaw - he was the inside man without the public attention that trial work can bring - But he was the person that clients could call to receive needed advice and in addition he managed the trial staff that over the years increased from 8 to over 100 lawyers. He taught the young lawyers the right way to develop their trial skills emphasizing preparation and hard work. His management skills became an art form and he earned the admiration and respect of not only the lawyers but the entire staff. Frankly, they loved him. But make no mistake Walt could be tough when he needed to be and you didn't really know Walt if you didn't understand that.
 

Walt had many partners and associates over the 54 years of law practice but I would be remiss if I did not mention 2 who were special to him.
 

Adrian "Bud' Foley was his partner since 1958 and was a constant tower of strength to Walt. Their mutual love and respect was brought vividly home to me in these last few weeks when Bud, in his own period of mourning, visited Walt almost everyday. When I arrived later, he immediately would say "Bud was here" and you knew what it meant to him.
 

Our partner John Murray had a special place in Walt's life. He was his advisor and friend but his daily kidding of Walt at lunch so picked up Walt's spirits that permitted him to battle against his weakened body and we thank John for that.
 

It was to his clients that he exhibited his total commitment, intelligence and caring. He was so proud of his clients and they became his friends. One client in particular had a special place in his heart and his life. New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company. Walt was their advisor for over 50 years and he was so proud of every accomplishment NJM achieved. Many of the NJM family are here today and we thank them for that relationship.
 

Walt had 3 sisters and no biological brother. But he had a person who was a brother, client, friend all in one. Buzzy McLaughlin was an officer of NJM and a claims supervisor without a peer. They vacationed together, they laughed together and they cried together - sometimes known as the Odd Couple - they personified the ultimate meaning of friendship. When Buzzy passed on his wife Bebe assumed the same role.
 

Walter's commitment and integrity was not limited to his professional life-it extended to helping others. After losing his beloved wife Cathleen to cancer at the young age of 49, Walter had a very rough time. He learned from the experience with the personal intervention of Dick Hughes his partner, friend and our former Governor and Chief Justice. He picked up his life and gave to others. He devoted 28 years of his life compiling many, many hours to combat the disease of alcoholism. The organization known as Turning Point which was his heart and soul has touched and saved countless persons. Only 4 weeks ago he was in the hospital and complained that he could not chair a meeting of the Governor's Committee on Alcoholism the next day. He never stopped caring.
 

But it was in his family that Walt found his greatest satisfaction - Cathleen was the center of his existence and they shared many happy days together in their relatively short time. They bought their dream house in Spring Lake but enjoyed only a year there together.
 

His sisters Jane and Ann held him on a pedestal. He was the man - He was Walter. Granted the pedestal at times shook a little on his occasional grumpy days but the foundation of love and respect never wavered. But if they had him on a pedestal his late youngest sister Elizabeth held him even higher. In her eyes, Walt could do no wrong.
 

He was very proud and grateful for his brothers-in-law, Brud Alworth, Bobby Gunning, Joe Lutz and Jim Murphy. After Elizabeth's too early passing, Jim became yet another brother to him spending at times, daily, quality time together. His nieces and nephews inherited the love and affection of their parents for Uncle Walter and it was returned.
 

The treasures of his life were his son Peter, his daughter Cathy and his granddaughter Mary Cathleen. Their constancy in his hours and days of need was truly remarkable. Literally, each time I visited him in the hospital over the last 7 weeks he would say "aren't Pete and Laura and Cathy and Stan terrific - how can I ever repay them for all they have done for me?"
 

The ultimate high point for Walt in the last few months was the receipt of the letter from Notre Dame by his granddaughter Mary Kate acknowledging her early acceptance to Notre Dame. He could not have been prouder. The word "subway alumni" could have been coined for Walter and Peter's graduation from Notre Dame and now his granddaughter's acceptance made him a bona fide fighting Irish man. I believe the Lord is going to have a hard time explaining to Walter why he couldn't have waited just a little longer to call him home and to give him a chance to go to Notre Dame and see a football game with Mary Kate.
 

He did have an avocation aside from law and family. Golf. Yes, he always wished he could hit the ball as far and straight as Richard Badolato or chip and putt like Mike McBride but the game provided an important part of his personal life in the last 20 years and to me that made him a professional.
 

It was in his faith that Walter's steadfast determination and will was best exemplified. He had a simple faith. Not worn on his sleeve, but a clear, unwavering belief in Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. There was no compromise. There was no diversion. It was the right way. It was his way. He lived every day of his life with the security of knowing he lived the truth. He never doubted the new life that we celebrate today.
 

Christ in the Beatitudes tells us "Blessed are they that mourn" and just a few weeks ago Father Frank McNulty at the Resurrection Mass for Mary Foley reminded us that it is right to mourn and also to remember. Tom Curry a Vice President of NJM e-mailed his remembrance of Walt on Monday and it is so appropriate that I must share it with you.
 

The news, though expected, is no less sad. It is difficult to imagine that Walt won't be around to provide that special enthusiasm and twinkle. No distinct chuckle when he really appreciated a good one. No self deprecating smiles when his good friends pulled his leg real hard. The old clap on the shoulder that meant he liked you and that hug that showed he cared. There is going to be a real emptiness - I can't ever remember not having Walt to call and I certainly can't ever remember when I didn't take pride in saying that I knew Walt and that he knew me. He gave and he gave and gave some more. One can't help thinking that he still had so very much to give and that we could never return the kindness and the grace no matter how much we tried to catch up.
 

Walt we will mourn and we shall remember and the example of your life will be the beacon we need to follow you.