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Biography
By his son, Jason, October 22-24, 2004

Walter Charles Alden was born Tuesday, May 7, 1929 to Conrad (29) & Marion Alden (21) of East Moriches located on the southern coast of Long Island NY.  East Moriches was a very small village and everyone knew everyone.  Conrad Alden owned and ran Alden's Auto Paint Shop on Montauk Highway.  

Walter(4) became a brother in October of 1932.  Lenny was born.

Walter attended an elementary school across the street from his residence.  He went to school with Joe Lemmon who became a long time friend and attendee of Walter's funeral.  There was a circle of friends Walter & Joe were part of; Walter was known as "Squinch" (pronounced "skwinch") among his grade school friends.

In 1938 when Walter was 9, there was a great hurricane known as the Hurricane Of '38 which flattened Walter's Grandmother's luxury hotel on Long Island.  His grandmother never knew, as she died in the hospital during the hurricane due to brain cancer.

Walter was 12 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

Walter graduated Center Moriches High School.  

Walter like to be called "Walt".

At age 20 in 1949, Walt married Esther.  He was well into work at his father's paint and body shop.  His first  child was born and she was named Linda.  Esther became very ill with Polio and life became very difficult for Walt and his family.  Esther became wheelchair-bound and had difficulty taking care of her child.  Linda spent much time at her grandparents home next door (Conrad & Marion).  

At some point his father and mother retired and moved to Bonita Springs, Florida.  Alden Paint & Body Shop (postcard - sign) was now left in the hard working hands of Walt to run.  The Alden Paint & Body Shop was well known for miles around for performing near miracle restorations on old rusted out commercial vehicles such as fire trucks (picture).  These vehicles would be displayed in front of the shop looking shiny and new.  Walt took great pride in his work.  Gloria Vanderbilt once took her vehicle to Walt's shop and had it restored. 

Walt also volunteered in the East Moriches Fire Department.

At age 34 in 1963 Esther Alden gave birth to their second child, Cindy.  A few days later Esther passed away.

Sometime after this he was introduced to Jo-Anne Mooney, a young lab technician, by cousin(?) Nancy who lived across the street(?).  On their first date, he took Jo-Anne bowling.  In April of 1965 at age 36, he married Jo-Anne Mooney (24-born in 1941).  Jo-Anne adopted Cindy as her own child.

In September 1966, Walt and Jo-Anne had their first child together (his third) and she was named Karin.  

In Florida, Conrad Alden became very ill with colon cancer and was in and out of Naples Hospital.

Several trips were taken by Walt & Jo-Anne & their children to Florida.  They visited Walt's mother & father.

In 1970,  Walt traveled to Florida by plane to visit his ailing father in the hospital.  His father passed soon after.

Walt's mother moved to Miami and began living with his brother (her son) Lenny.

In July 1971, Robert was born to Walt's daughter Linda.

In February 1973, Christopher was born to Walt's daughter Linda.

In the early 70s, Walt, Jo-Anne and children Cindy & Karin moved to the then "small town" of Cape Coral, Florida.  Walt & Jo-Anne purchased a duplex behind Publix on Vincennes Court.  Walt worked on fixing up the duplex and while the family of 4 lived on one side, the other side was turned into 2 apartments, which were rented out.

During this time Walt worked odd jobs which included several body shops in the Industrial Park area in Cape Coral, while he searched for stable work.

A cross country trip was taken by the family in the summer of 1973, taking them through Yellowstone National Park.  Walt describes the stay in Yellowstone National Park as "It was a cold night."  And that was where their future son, Jason, was conceived.

In April 1974, Jo-Anne gave birth to their second child together (his fourth), Jason.  The day Jason was born the family of 5 moved into a brand new house in Cape Coral.   Jason was Walt's first son, after having fathered 3 daughters.

In the 70s, Walt purchased a Tuff Kote franchise and opened it in Fort Myers.  Tuff Kote was a company that rust-proofed vehicles. 

In the late 70s, Walt's mother Marion was involved in a severe car accident on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.  She was killed.  Several months later, Walt's brother Lenny died.

In the early 1980s, Walt retired from the Tuff Kote business, and he began working as an automobile insurance appraiser, something he was well experienced to do.  He would inspect vehicles that were damaged from accidents and write up reports on whether they were fixable or a total loss.

In the summer of 1987, Walt suffered a severe car accident.  While working in Fort Myers while at a stop light, a large car rear ended his, and he soon was rushed to the hospital.  After receiving what appeared to be a comprehensive evaluation, his scalp received stitches and he was about to be released to go home when blood was detected in his urine.  Jo-Anne, with her medical background, knew that there was a serious problem.  Tests were ordered, and doctors determined Walt's spleen had ruptured and he would need emergency surgery.  Surgery was conducted and Walt fully recovered.  Walt stopped smoking in the hospital.  He had been a smoker since his teens (the 1940s).

Also in the 80s, Walt & Jo-Anne's daughters Cindy and then Karin moved out to begin on their own.

In the late 80s, Walt began working the only 2 days he was off as a security guard in Fort Myers.  He began working 12 hour back to back shifts, Saturday and Sunday.  There were years that Walt never took a day off, because he covered holidays also.  Money was tight at the Alden household.  Walt, as usual, worked hard to provide for his family.

In April of 1990, Walt & Jo-Anne's 3 children planned a surprise 25th wedding anniversary celebration including a fancy dinner at a restaurant near downtown Fort Myers, and  limo transportation to and from the restaurant and down to Fort Myers Beach.  It was very exciting for the whole family. 

Sadly two days later, Walt suffered a devastating stroke which immediately retired him.  Jo-Anne was crushed, as well as their children.  He was in the hospital for 6 weeks, 4 of which he underwent vigorous physical therapy.  However, his loving & devoted wife Jo-Anne quickly whipped Walt into shape and maintained his diet and habits as necessary to minimize additional risk for health problems. 

In January 1994, son Jason moved out to be on his own.  Walt and Jo-Anne's nest was now empty.  In October 1994, Jason moved to Miami.

In May 1996, Walt became a grandfather once again while Jo-Anne became a grandmother for the first time with the birth of Amber, from Jason and his wife-to-be Karla.

Many visits from Jason, Karla, and Amber were made to Walt & Jo-Anne's residence in Cape Coral, including holidays and birthdays.

In July 1999, Jo-Anne, Walt's wife of 34 years, died suddenly in their home after months of struggling with deteriorating health conditions.  Walt was now alone, without a companion once again, and without a care-taker, and in Spring of 2000 he began a downward spiral with his health.  Seeing that Walt was struggling, Jason, Karla and Amber moved back to Cape Coral to assist Walt.  

Walt, after spending numerous long lengths of time in the hospital, became wheel chair bound due to leg weakness and other significant problems.  However Walt's quality of life was maintained as good as possible.  

In 2001, Walt met Nancy.  Nancy, slightly younger, became very good friends with Walt.  

Many good times were celebrated with Walt and his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and birthdays.  He also received occasional visits from his first daughter Linda and second daughter Cindy, usually while in the hospital.

In February 2004, Walt was involved in an accident while being transported by a Good Wheels bus.  Walt suffered a broken leg and was hospitalized for weeks, coming very close to passing.  He was on life support for days.  

In August 2004, sadly, Nancy suddenly died.  Walt was very sad about this.

In September 2004, Walt was once again hospitalized.  Walt averaged several hospital stays each year since 2000.  This time Walt would not respond well to treatment of his worsening illnesses.

On October 16, 2004, Walt passed away in the presence of close family. 

Walt achieved three goals that he wanted to reach in his golden years:

• He outlived his father in age.

• He saw the year 2000.

• He reached his 75th birthday.

Walt's hard work and dedication to his family will not be forgotten.