Walt Hartnett – Rest in Peace my Friend

Walt Hartnett – Rest in Peace my Friend

6/12/2025

by Brian Coll

This one isn’t easy.

I mean no disrespect when I say this, The Conshohocken VFW wasn’t always the place it currently is. I grew up here and attended a few events at the post when I was younger with my dad. He knew most of the guys there and we would sometimes go to take a photo for the newspapers. As I grew older it wasn’t a place that I would frequent often. I have some good friends that have served our country and occasionally we would go there. When Walt Hartnett took on a more active role at the Conshohocken VFW Post it began to change.

While Walt wasn’t solely responsible for the direction the post has taken, he was a large part of it. I have personally worked with Walt on events like the Conshystuff Food Drive kick off party with JP Hussey and our families. The Conshohocken Baseball and Softball League has held end of season events here as well as monthly meetings. During 2020 Walt and a few members of the post would swing by my shop to take food to the Colonial Neighborhood Council when I couldn’t. If you haven’t been to the Conshohocken VFW in many years, if you pop in, you will see Walt imprinted on the walls, the atmosphere, the events taking place. Crab fest, pig roast, live bands… Walt helped with all of it.

Walt and I would work together on events around Conshohocken and most of our conversations were about his kids, my kids, Philly sports or Conshohocken. We both want to leave Conshohocken better for our kids and yours. While he will forever be associated with the Conshohocken VFW, he would attend just about every event. I’d see him and his family at Breakfast with Santa at George Clay Fire Company in West Conshohocken. We’d see each other at beef and beers for other members of the community. My favorite times seeing him would simply be at Scoops. We could just chat, not have to solve all of the worlds problems. He was so proud of his kids. We’d get past the business of the day and then he’d just gush over what they were up.

Honestly, I have had a very difficult time writing this, I know it’s not much. He deserves more than what I was able to put together.

To his wife Ashley, children Eric, Walter, Gianna, Hailey and his parents, family and friends and those who served with him and his VFW family… I’m thinking of all of you.

I wish he called. I wish he knew how much he was loved here and needed. I hope he’s at peace.

Here is the official obituary.

https://mooreandsnear.com/tribute/details/10306/Walter-Hartnett-IV/obituary.html