Walter Jonas, age 80, passed away early Friday morning, November 10, 2023, due to complications from his open heart surgery.
Walter was born in Millerton, New York, and grew up in the Rochester, NY area. After high school, Walter attended Columbia Universisty, where he became passionately involved in the anti-war Movement. After college, Walter lived and worked in many parts of the country, including NYC, Amherst, MA., Washington DC, and the Bay Area & Santa Monica in California.
He was offered a full scholarship to Harvard Divinity School, and came East to complete his Masters Degree. After Divinity School, where he met his first life partner and the mother of his children, he was ordained as a Unitarian Universalist Minister, and served two churches.
He had two children, son Jacob and daughter Rachael. Walter held several jobs after he was no longer working as a Minister, including: Carpenter and Handyman, Distribution Worker for the SHARE Project, Kitchen Designer, and General Contractor.
Walter loved his children and subsequent life partner, Judith Cohen, very much. He had a varied and interesting life, which included: Learning to sail at Community Boating on the Charles, learning to Scuba dive at age 70, playing the banjo with friends, and especially for several years, as featured entertainer at the Milton Farmer’s Market, freestyle dancing with Dance New England and EarthDance, teaching Zoom classes on biblical Greek, camping at Nickerson State Park on the Cape, and riding his bike along the Neponset River Bike Path. Although always a UU in spirit, Walter spent many of his later years attending and enthralled by the splendid classical music at Emmanuel Church in Boston. He also spent many joyful times attending Cajun Music festivals in Lafayette, Louisiana, folk festivals in Vermont and Massachusetts, and the Rhythm & Roots festival in Rhode Island.
Walter had a sharp and curious mind and was able to understand complicated concepts. After studying an issue, he would offer thoughtful and perceptive informed opinions, that spoke directly to that issue and what could be done about it.
Walter had many interests throughout his life, always worked to understand the newest technology, and remained committed to issues of justice and equality.
He will be greatly missed by his family, his Milton neighbors, and the members of all the groups he participated in.
We love you so much, Walter!