Walter Michael “Walt” Conklin, beloved father, brother, grandfather, teacher, neighbor, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2024. He was 92 years old and a kind, generous, and “punny” man. His was a life well-lived and well-loved.

Walt was born in Meriden to Joseph and Aurore (Charest) Conklin on March 24, 1932, the fifth of their six children. He became a teacher after graduating from Connecticut Teachers’ College (now Central Connecticut State University) in 1954. One auspicious day during his senior year, a friend brought Walt to the college library to introduce him to the woman who would become his wife of 65 years, Carol Kulak. They married in 1956 and raised their three children, Michael, Kristin, and Stacey, in Clinton. Walt taught fifth grade in the Clinton Public Schools and was a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary’s of the Visitation, where he served as a lector and faith formation teacher for many years.

During his lifetime, Walt also served terms on the board of the Henry Carter Hull Library and Clinton’s Board of Assessment Appeals. After retiring from teaching in 1992, Walt enjoyed spending time with his children and their spouses, his eight grandchildren, and his two great-grandchildren; traveling in Europe, the Caribbean, and North America; volunteering with Carol at church and the local soup kitchen; and delivering Meals on Wheels for over 20 years in Clinton and Westbrook. Walt was also a lifelong Yankees fan, and he is surely rooting them on to their 28th World Series Championship from his box seat in heaven.

Walt is survived by his sister Anne Conklin, RSM; his children, W. Michael (Mary), Kristin and Stacey Russell (Stephen); his grandchildren: Sarah Peterson (Jeff), Grace (Denis Vlahovic), Ross (Michelle Funk), Geoffrey, Tyler Kynn (Jax), Carl Moon (Meredith Hacking), Alexandra Russell (Luke McCarthy) and Michael Russell; his two great-grandchildren, Lila and Flynn Peterson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends. Walt was predeceased by his wife Carol (Kulak) in 2021 and earlier by his brothers, Joseph, James, and Donald “Gus;” sister Elphy; and parents, Joseph and Aurore.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you offer random or intentional kindness to someone and consider making a gift in Walt’s memory to Families Helping Families (fhfclinton.org), the Henry Carter Hull Library (hchlibrary.org), Meals on Wheels at The Estuary (yourestuary.org), or a charity of your choice that treats people with kindness and dignity.

The family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at Ocean Meadow, Beacon Hospice, and St. Mary’s of the Visitation for their care and support of Walt and his family while he was in memory care, the caregivers Dilma Ordoñez, Lunga Manakaza, Gina Pacheco and Jessica Rocha, who helped Walt navigate life after Carol’s death in 2021 until he took up residence at Ocean Meadow, and the many friends, relatives, neighbors and former students who enfolded Walt in love. We know that Walt loved and felt beloved on this earth, and that has made all the difference.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, April 29, at St. Mary Church of The Visitation, Clinton. Burial was at St Mary Cemetery, Clinton. www.swanfh.com.