John Marbacher Walton, 3rd

John Marbacher Walton, 3rd John Marbacher Walton, 3rd, 92, died of congestive heart failure at Cathedral Village, Roxborough, PA, on October 7, 2020. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Cornelia “Cornie” Walton, on June 26, 2020. John, the son of the late John M. Walton, 2nd and Elfrida Elliot Walton, was born and raised in Chestnut Hill, PA with his dear sister, Joly Walton Stewart. He attended Miss Zara’s School, Chestnut Hill Academy, and graduated from The Episcopal Academy in 1946. He attended Trinity College and The Wharton School. In 1950, John joined the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry (Pennsylvania 28th Infantry Division Reconnaissance Troop) and served on active duty in Germany during the Korean conflict. After serving 14 years with the First City Troop and Pennsylvania National Guard, he resigned with the rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1964. John began his professional career with Herkness, Peyton & Bishop, a Philadelphia insurance brokerage firm, where he rose to be President. In 1967, he became the Director of Insurance and Risk Management at Lavino Shipping Company, one of the country’s major stevedore, terminal operator and steamship agencies at the time. John later became Vice President and Secretary of the shipping company and its parent company, E.J. Lavino and Company. In 1990, John became corporate Secretary of The Spartan Organization, Inc. and its major affiliates, all founded by Mr. Nicholas Karabots. During his tenure, John was involved in the development and construction of Jericho National Golf Club in Washington Crossing, PA. John was active in many civic, cultural, educational and social organizations. He was a former Director of the Seaman’s Church Institute, the National Association of Stevedores, and the Wissahickon Branch of the American Red Cross. John was a Trustee Emeritus and former Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Germantown Academy, in Fort Washington, PA. He was also a proud member of GA’s honorary alumni Class of 1760. John was a lifelong member of The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Chestnut Hill, PA, where he served on the Vestry and gave freely of his time and talent in support of the Church. More than anything, John loved spending time in beautiful Beach Haven, NJ, on Long Beach Island. He was a devoted and very active member of the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club where he was a Past Commodore and Senior Trustee. John was also a member of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church in Beach Haven, NJ, the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, The Pastorius Club, and Sunnybrook Golf Club. John and Cornie shared a very full life and were happiest when busy supporting others. They settled into Cathedral Village retirement community 18 years ago and were active and involved in many community groups and projects. One of John’s most favorite was helping to tend Plotters Field, an expansive garden area for residents outside of the Greenhouse. If you are lucky enough to wander by Plotters Field during the late spring and summer months, you will find a joyous spot filled with flowers, fruits, vegetables, butterflies, friendship and laughter. John loved being on the bay at the helm of the “Decoy”, helping to run sailboat races or savoring a slow cruise at the golden hour with family and friends. He enjoyed the fierce competition he found playing lunchtime backgammon with friends at the Racquet Club, was an extremely clever practical jokester, and simply loved getting dressed up for a good costume party. John was a kind, thoughtful, devoted, and cherished friend and family man. You could always count on John and Cornie to show up - often early - whether for a meeting, a volunteer project, a celebration, or to share comfort and support. John’s greatest joy was making sure that Cornie, despite some physical challenges, was happy and able to do most everything she wanted. And Cornie did the same for John. John is survived by his three daughters – Betsy Duryea (Dick), Cindy Stauffer (Larry), and Frida Walton; his grandchildren – Peter Duryea (Victoria), Tracy Duryea, Jonathan Stauffer, Emily Stauffer and Megan Stauffer; his sister Joly Walton Stewart and brother-in-law, Jim Parsly. The family will hold a private burial and invite family and friends to celebrate both John and Cornie’s beautiful lives when it is safe to gather again. Friends are invited to make memorial contributions in John’s name to The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martins Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118 or the Germantown Academy Annual Fund, 340 Morris Road, Ft. Washington, PA 19034.