If you've had the good fortune to work as a business executive in the Greater New Haven area over the past 40 to 50 years, there's a pretty good chance you've met Walter Nester.

Walt, a longtime North Haven resident, has had quite the work history. He retired from a distinguished career at the New Haven Register in 1990, at which he rose through the ranks all the way to a position as vice president of the company.

But Walt didn't stop when he left the Register.

First he worked at Family Counseling of Greater New Haven, then as a newspaper advertising/marketing consultant, and for the past decade-plus he has built a distinguished "second" career on the business development team for the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, for which he still works today.

In his typical, self-effacing way, Walt says, "I just enjoy working, meeting people, taking on new challenges. I don't have any intention of slowing down."

Walt grew up in the Cedar Hill neighborhood of New Haven, one of four children, before moving to North Haven. Walt, a Marine veteran, raised five children with his wife of 57 years, Patricia, a retired nurse.

Walt's children, in his words, "live all over the country," specifically Kathleen, who lives in New York; Walter III who lives in South Carolina; Brenda in Norwalk; Eric; and Bridget, who lives in California.

He is also grandfather to five.

While Walt has had a long and successful working career, he keeps himself busy outside of work. In North Haven, he currently is a member of the building committee that is working on plans to renovate the middle school.

He also is a former member of both the Board of Selectmen, serving three terms, and the town's Economic Development Commission.

"I'm not really good at saying, 'No'" is how Walt explains his history of volunteering to help out wherever and whenever he can.

Walt's efforts to help his hometown are appreciated.

"Walter has served our community very well, with class and dignity" through the years, says First Selectman Mike Freda. "He truly cares about North Haven and has been a pleasure to work with in helping to move North Haven forward in a positive fashion."

Walt also is past grand marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day parade, the biggest St. Patrick Day's parade in the state of Connecticut. He is a recipient of the Connecticut Yankee Council Boy Scouts of America Good Scout Award.

He adds that "he's a very proud" past participant in the "Dancing Under the Stars" competition to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House.

When he's not working or serving on committees, dancing, or acting, Walt keeps himself busy "golfing whenever I get the chance."

Those who know Walt know he's not a recreational golfer, as he's accumulated dozens of championship trophies, beating his competition over the years on some of the state's best golf courses.

Walt's athletic prowess doesn't end at the golf course.

"Back in the day," as he likes to say, he was a star pitcher and hitter for the New Haven Register's slow-pitch softball team, one of the best squads around in the 1970s and '80s.

He also says he and his wife "love the theater, and, I'm a big fan of Irish and American music."

Walt's love of theater has translated into some acting roles, notably for productions put on by The New Haven Gaelic Players.