Walt W. Glista

Walter William Glista passed away unexpectedly on October 6, 2023 at the age of 64. He was born on December 1, 1958 to Kasimer and Rosli (Stussi) Glista. He was raised in West Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from Conard High School in 1977. Walt was an outstanding wrestler and enjoyed sports of all kinds. A gifted mechanic, Walt worked on small engine repair and started his own business in 1989, Walt’s Power Equipment Repair, which he ran until the day he passed. He also played guitar and keyboards for several local bands in the 70s and 80s and had a lifelong passion for music, especially classic rock. Walt married Kathy Thayer in 1991 and they had two sons, Ryan Carlton Glista and Matthew Thayer Glista. Despite their split in 2007, they remained a close family. Walt cherished the time he spent playing and creating music with his son Ryan and playing and watching basketball with his son Matt. He loved basketball and played several times a week in many local leagues. In 2018, he was lucky to meet his loving partner Dawn Davis, and share a happy last chapter of his life. They loved spending time with each other’s families, who became close. Walt was an active member of the community and had many friends and customers who relied on him for his mechanical prowess, his humor and heart. He had a goofy and endearing sense of humor. He was a talker and you never had to guess what he was thinking. He was always kind and would give you the shirt off his back.

Walt is survived by his mother, his partner Dawn of Canterbury, CT, his son Ryan and his partner Harry Miranda of Storrs, CT, his son Matthew and his partner Amealia Maynard of Storrs, CT, his sons’ mother Kathy Thayer and her partner William Drobiak of Willington; brother Christopher Glista of West Hartford, brother Thomas Glista and his wife Martha of Acworth, Georgia and Vreni Jones and her husband Marty of Springfield, Missouri and seven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and by his brother Hans.

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Walt’s memory to the Community School of the Arts can be made payable to "Town of Mansfield" with memo "CSA Donation"; mailed to Mansfield Parks & Recreation, Attn: Community School of the Arts, 10 S. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06268 or "Town of Columbia Recreation Department" 323 CT-87, Columbia. CT 06237.   

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