Walter “Walt” J. Jablonka, 83, of Deer Park, passed away on May 21, 2022 after an extended illness.

He was proud to serve his country in the United States Marine Corp. He subsequently worked as a bus driver and mechanic; he retired from MTA Bus Company in Suffolk County. He also worked as a volunteer fireman in Garden City Park. Walt was kind, compassionate, and honest. He valued his friends and family as much as he revered his fellow Marines. He never met a stranger, and he kept his closest friends for life. Those he chatted with on a regular basis will surely miss hearing his cheerful, “Hello, hello!” on the other end of the phone line.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife of thirty-two years, Barbara E. Jablonka, his step-daughter, Pamela Murphy, his parents, Bruno and Adelaide Jablonka, and his brother, Robert Jablonka. He leaves behind his son, Jonathan (Jena) Costello, of Raleigh, NC, their two sons, Ryan Costello of Holly Springs, NC and Evan Costello of Denver, CO; his son-in-law, Dennis Kelly, granddaughter, Nicole Kelly, and great-granddaughter, Emily Kelly, of Oscoda, MI; his sister, Joanne Jablonka (Rich) Zimmer of Lewes, DE; five nieces and one nephew; his dear friends who were like family, Billy and Diane Scott, of Deer Park, NY; his good buddy, Chris Engert, who was always there when Walt needed him; his friend of fifty-two years, Milt, of Rensselaer, NY; plus a number of other special friends who were blessed to be a part of his life.

Burial:
Long Island National Cemetery
10:00 a.m. Friday, July 29

Celebration of Life
Immediately following burial:
The Runway Room
Courtyard by Marriott
Two Marriott Plaza, Farmingdale, NY 11735

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Semper Fi Fund at semperfifund.org (To learn more about this charitable organization, read About Us and History under the Who We Are tab.)