Obituary of Walter J. Akstulewicz

Walter John Akstulewicz, 79, of Whiting, formerly of Freehold, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 24, 2023 at Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, Lakewood.  He was born to William and Jane (nee Kusnierczyk) Akstulewicz in New Castle, Pennsylvania and had grown up attending Our Lady of Czestochowa Parochial School. Walter graduated from Union High School in 1961. He then graduated from PennTech before matriculating at the New Jersey Institute of Technology receiving a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering. Walter then went on to earn a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  In 1963, he was hired by Bell Laboratories, in Whippany and then transferred to Holmdel where he worked until his retirement from Telcordia Technologies, an acquired company, in 2002.  Walter had lived in Whippany, Parsippany, and Succasunna until moving to Freehold Township to raise his family.  In retirement, his love for the water, fishing and boats led him to receive his Captain’s License and working in the sales department for Irwin Marine in Red Bank from 2002 to re-retiring in 2017.   Constantly vacationing, Walter could be found on the islands or on cruise ships, but always near the water. He was a voracious reader and had a passion for the written word.  Walter gave back to the community where he lived (Crestwood Village III) by volunteering on the board of trustees for six years and serving as a past president.  He was a faithful husband, loving father, adoring grandfather, devoted brother, caring uncle and a dear friend. 

Walter was predeceased by his first wife, Hedy (nee Mahtook) Akstulewicz; a sister, Patricia McGuirk; his son, Dennis Walter Akstulewicz; and his daughter, Stacy Akstulewicz Harrison.  He is survived by his wife of fourteen years, Suzanne “Sue” Reimer (nee Ardale) Akstulewicz; two stepsons, Mark Reimer and Jason Reimer and his wife, Jillian; seven grandchildren, Leo James Harrison, Lila Akstulewicz, Ava Akstulewicz, Henry Reimer, Georgia Reimer; Fisher Reimer, and Chole Reimer; a son-in-law, Shawn Harrison; two siblings, Mary Ann Henley and her husband, John and Raymond Akstulewicz and his wife, Kathleen; brother-in-law, Arthur “Bud” McGuirk; sister-in-law, Joanne Mercadante and her husband, David; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend 12:00 Noon graveside service on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at St. Anne Cemetery & Mausoleum, 1610 Allenwood Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719.  Arrangements by Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, NJ.  For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to either, Fr. Benedict Fund at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township, NJ 07728 (HERE) or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston (whom assisted with his daughter’s spina bifida condition), Attn: Shiva Damghany, Director of Development, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 (HERE).  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.