Walter S. Zarnowski
January 12, 1933 — April 13, 2024
Age 91 of Delray Beach, FL passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Walter was born at the Hillsborough County Hospital in Grasmere, NH. As a child, Walter enjoyed the typical activities of the children of his time, ice skating on Stevens Pond, hunting, fishing, wild berry picking and most any outdoor activity.
Walter began working at a very early age. By age eight he began working on neighboring farms, starting out doing various tasks while increasing his technical skills. By high school he was caddying on weekends at a local golf club and working second shift in a local “Frostie Old Fashioned Root Beer” manufacturing facility.
In 1950 Walter graduated from high school just in time to see the beginning of the Korean War. Walter subsequently joined the United States Army Reserve. In 1952 Walter was informed he had two choices – he could change his status from reserved to active and retain his Reserve rank, or be drafted and start over as a private. He chose to change status to active duty. As he was preparing to be deployed to Korea Walter began suffering pain later diagnosed as acute appendicitis. As a result of this hospitalization, his deployment was delayed and he was eventually sent to U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden (Germany). After eighteen months at USAG Wiesbaden Walter returned home to New Bedford New Hampshire. Walter eventually left active duty having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After returning Stateside Walter married Margaret Bales in 1957. Three years later, their son David was born, followed by their daughter Tonya. At this time Walter worked in Goffstown New Hampshire until the family eventually moved to Delray Beach, Florida in 1967.
By 1972 Walter became a Certified Real Property Appraiser and obtained the Senior Residential Appraiser designation. In 1973 Walter changed careers and began working for First Federal Savings and Loan of the Palm Beaches Bank. He started out with residential property appraising, eventually taking on various large scaled multimillion dollar projects such as Kings Point (Delray) and Leisureville (Boynton, Pompano) among many other large real estate developments.
In early 1996 Walter retired as a Vice President from First Federal Savings and Loan. Never one to be idle, later that same year, Walter began working the front desk of the Banyan House Condominium. This became some what of a second career for Walter. He appreciated the location and immensely enjoyed the residents and staff even after he retired from the Banyan House in 2019 at the age of 86.
Always a man of deep faith, Walter was heavily involved in the activities of his Church. Beginning in the late 1980s he began working with The Go Between outreach ministry in Jamaica which provided fresh water wells and educational opportunities for Jamaican residents. This continued through the late 1990s.
Walter and Margaret also hosted an outreach group in their home affiliated with Trinity Church International (TCI) in Lake Worth until 2008.
Walter was a quiet and sincere man who practiced one of his favorite quotes – “God, Family, Country”. He loved his family above all earthly possessions. Walter was a man with abundant friends and many talents and he shall be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Walter was predeceased by his father Leon Zarnowski and mother Brigitta Zarnowski and is survived by his beloved wife Margaret Zarnowski (Bales), son David Zarnowski of Delray Beach and daughter Tonya Meccariello of Boynton Beach.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 12:30 PM at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 South State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be provided to Trinity International Church Missions, 7255 South Military Trail, Lake Worth, Florida 33463.
Walter began working at a very early age. By age eight he began working on neighboring farms, starting out doing various tasks while increasing his technical skills. By high school he was caddying on weekends at a local golf club and working second shift in a local “Frostie Old Fashioned Root Beer” manufacturing facility.
In 1950 Walter graduated from high school just in time to see the beginning of the Korean War. Walter subsequently joined the United States Army Reserve. In 1952 Walter was informed he had two choices – he could change his status from reserved to active and retain his Reserve rank, or be drafted and start over as a private. He chose to change status to active duty. As he was preparing to be deployed to Korea Walter began suffering pain later diagnosed as acute appendicitis. As a result of this hospitalization, his deployment was delayed and he was eventually sent to U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden (Germany). After eighteen months at USAG Wiesbaden Walter returned home to New Bedford New Hampshire. Walter eventually left active duty having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After returning Stateside Walter married Margaret Bales in 1957. Three years later, their son David was born, followed by their daughter Tonya. At this time Walter worked in Goffstown New Hampshire until the family eventually moved to Delray Beach, Florida in 1967.
By 1972 Walter became a Certified Real Property Appraiser and obtained the Senior Residential Appraiser designation. In 1973 Walter changed careers and began working for First Federal Savings and Loan of the Palm Beaches Bank. He started out with residential property appraising, eventually taking on various large scaled multimillion dollar projects such as Kings Point (Delray) and Leisureville (Boynton, Pompano) among many other large real estate developments.
In early 1996 Walter retired as a Vice President from First Federal Savings and Loan. Never one to be idle, later that same year, Walter began working the front desk of the Banyan House Condominium. This became some what of a second career for Walter. He appreciated the location and immensely enjoyed the residents and staff even after he retired from the Banyan House in 2019 at the age of 86.
Always a man of deep faith, Walter was heavily involved in the activities of his Church. Beginning in the late 1980s he began working with The Go Between outreach ministry in Jamaica which provided fresh water wells and educational opportunities for Jamaican residents. This continued through the late 1990s.
Walter and Margaret also hosted an outreach group in their home affiliated with Trinity Church International (TCI) in Lake Worth until 2008.
Walter was a quiet and sincere man who practiced one of his favorite quotes – “God, Family, Country”. He loved his family above all earthly possessions. Walter was a man with abundant friends and many talents and he shall be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Walter was predeceased by his father Leon Zarnowski and mother Brigitta Zarnowski and is survived by his beloved wife Margaret Zarnowski (Bales), son David Zarnowski of Delray Beach and daughter Tonya Meccariello of Boynton Beach.
A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 12:30 PM at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 South State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be provided to Trinity International Church Missions, 7255 South Military Trail, Lake Worth, Florida 33463.
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