Walter A. Vonhone

Walter A. vonHone, 95, passed away March 8, 2022, after a full life of patriotism, family, and community contributions. He was the husband of June Harvey vonHone and was previously the husband of the late Elizabeth Clark vonHone. Walter was born and lived in Manchester and Vernon in CT before retiring to South Dennis, MA, in 1987.

As a WWII Veteran, Walter enlisted in the Navy in 1944 at just 17 yrs. old and served as a Petty Officer aboard the USS Runels. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations against the Japanese from Okinawa to the Philippines, then served in the occupation forces in Tokyo. Although always reticent about his wartime experiences they have been captured in occasional stories to his family and news interviews later in life. Each memory was conveyed with great respect and appreciation for his country.

Walter continued his military service in the Naval Reserve, the CT State Guard, the US Coast Guard Reserve, and the CT Army National Guard. His military career spanned 45 years in active, reserve, and guard duty. He was the last WWII veteran to retire from military service in 1989.

In addition to a 36-year career as a distribution engineer at Hartford Electric Light Company/Northeast Utilities, he served many years as a member of the DAV (Chapter 17) and VFW (Post 2046). Walter was Co-Founder of the Manchester Veterans Council and coordinated the Manchester Memorial Day Parade and Services for over 20 years. He was the architect of the Korean War Memorial in Munroe Park and the Soldiers Field Assoc. Monument in East Cemetery both in Manchester, CT. His contributions are remembered by the establishment of the VFW Post 2046, SFC Walter Von Hone Scholarship. He was a member in good standing with Manchester Lodge #73, Ancient Free, and Accepted Masons for 64 yrs.

Upon his retirement and relocation to Cape Cod, he volunteered as a member of the Dennis Water Quality Advisory Committee, the Conservation Commission, the Friends of Dennis Seniors, American Red Cross Emergency Services, Cape Cod Senior Environment Corp, and the Harwich Food Pantry. Walter initiated the Town of Dennis Memorial Day Committee and launched the annual Memorial Day Parade. In addition, he worked with the Town of Yarmouth in the establishment of the Pearl Harbor Memorial at the mouth of Bass River and established the annual December 7th Memorial Service. He was an active member of the AMVETS and American Legion on Cape Cod.

His patriotism, integrity, and sense of responsibility to his country and his community are legacies that have had lasting impacts on all who knew him.

He leaves behind his wife of 22 years, June, and three children, Nancy vonHone, Karl vonHone and his wife, Amy, and Barbara Ross and her husband, Jerry, and granddaughter, Lauren, and two step-sons, Gary Christiansen and his wife, Debbie, and Paul Ricard and his wife, Heidi, and their children.

Love is the tie that binds a family and will remain forever strong.

Visitation will be held at Holmes Watkins Funeral Home located at 400 Main St. Manchester, CT March 18, 2022, 10:30 to 11:30 am with burial and full military honors to follow at East Cemetery in Manchester, CT at 12 pm.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Wounded Warriors in Walter's name. Kevin P. Gallagher