John Jeffrey Walker
John Jeffrey Walker of Mystic and Darien, CT, passed away December 5, 2023 with loving family by his side. He was the son of Robert Barney Walker and Helen Gertrude Tingley. Jeff graduated from New York Military Academy with many honors, including the corps’ most Honorable Cadet, went on to receive an Architectural Design and Building Construction degree from Temple University, and served as a member of the Navy Air Reserves during the Vietnam era. Several years after college, he was invited by an NYMA classmate to join his newly formed Trump Organization, where Jeff became Senior Vice President and thrived under his many diversified responsibilities. He oversaw the conversion of the Commodore Hotel into the Grand Hyatt on 42nd St., the construction of Trump Tower, served on the Board of Directors of the Trump Shuttle, and managed the purchase and refit of the 273 ft M/Y Trump Princess, along with many other interesting projects.
Jeff joined Colgate Palmolive company in 1991, as Director of Facilities, where he was involved with real estate. He was awarded many times at Colgate for his corporate stewardship and contributions. While at Colgate he also served as President of the Business Advisory Board of Just One Break, an organization started by Eleanor Roosevelt, whose mission was to place qualified applicants with disabilities in expanded corporate job opportunities. He also was on the building committee of St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue and was instrumental in the establishment of Inside Park at the Church.
Throughout his career, he enjoyed mentoring many professionals and entrepreneurial businesses. He always took great pride in helping others succeed and received overwhelming gratitude from the many whom he helped. Jeff volunteered on many boards including the Tokeneke Club, Masons Island Yacht Club, both Darien and Stonington Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Groton Sportsman’s Club. He was an avid environmentalist, sailor, scuba diver, arborist, horticulturalist, naturalist, and always started his day before sunrise to exercise. He was a true family man with great love for his wife of 54 years, Waller, his children, Robert Barney Walker II (Lindsay) and Blair Walker Tarara (Tanino), and five adoring grandchildren, Vince, Ellie, Charlie, Robert and Finley.
His compassion for others radiated from every cell of his being. He will be remembered lovingly for his extraordinary goodness, discipline, and creativity.
Services will be held in 2024. Mystic Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. Please check back in January for details, www. mysticfuneralhome.com . In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport Museum.Donations to; Mysticseaport.org/support/ annual-fund or mysticaquarium.org/donate.