Walter Kopesky, a longtime resident of Newtown, died at home on September 26 after a long illness.

Walter was born in Stamford in 1924 and later moved with his parents to Greenwich, where his father worked on the R.C. Bolling estate. He bought his first car, a Model A, with apple green wheels, from the money he earned delivering eggs in high school. He graduated from Wright Tech in Stamford with a degree in tool and die making, then volunteered for service in the United States Navy during World War II. His PT boat and crew were sent to the Panama Canal and later to help protect the United States Fifth Army in the Mediterranean theater.

After the war, Walter worked at Yale and Towne Manufacturing Company in Stamford. In the early 1950s, he was hired by Ivan Sorvall Inc of Norwalk, first as shop foreman and later as service manager. Around 1970, the company moved to Newtown, and he moved with it. Walt was especially fond of making service calls to doctors around the country who were using centrifuges, microtomes, and other Sorvall equipment in cutting-edge medical research. He worked closely with “blood bankers” in the United States and abroad to keep their centrifuges running smoothly. Later in his career, he also trained field service representatives from around the United States and other countries; many of them were invited to his home for after-hours hospitality. He was asked to conduct training seminars in several European countries, where he made lasting friendships.

Those who knew Walter described him as a jack of all trades. He always had his hands in something, wanting to learn more, repair, invent new approaches, or help a friend with a difficult problem. He studied the stock market assiduously. He loved gardening and traveling, also. But above all else, he enjoyed gathering people around the table. He celebrated his heritage every Russian Easter with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Joy; his son, Walter Jr, and wife, Renee; his daughter, Lori Stevens; his stepson, Mike Killeen; and his grandchildren, Walter, Sable, Alex, and Michael. Members of his extended family who also gave him great support include Darla and Joseph Miceli, Charles Loomis, CJ Loomis, Deven Loomis, Lauren Johnson (Alex Stevens’s fiancee), and Ryan Bosworth.

He is predeceased by his granddaughter, Tiffany Kopesky; his parents, John and Pauline Kaptuch; his brother, Michael Kaptuch; and his sister, Anna Rich.

Walter’s family would like to thank their wonderful neighbors and friends for all the support, encouragement, and love in recent months and years. Thanks also to the Bethel Visiting Nurse Association, Be Driven, and Seasons Hospice for all they do so well.

Funeral arrangements will be private. A gathering to celebrate Walter’s life is planned for later this month.

Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown is serving the family.