Walter E. Ezman

Walter E. Ezman, 96, died peacefully on January 14, 2026.

He was the son of Walter and Mary (née Shimalla) Ezman and lived a life defined by quiet kindness, curiosity about others, and steadfast optimism.

Walter graduated from Bound Brook High School and began his career at Johns Manville, where he worked for many years and retired in 1986 as a designer in the mould department. Determined to continue learning, he attended night school and earned an associate’s degree from Rider University. Following his retirement, Walter obtained his real estate license and worked with Sena Real Estate and Prudential Pioneer. He was also a proud member of the National Guard.

A longtime parishioner of Holy Trinity Church in Bridgewater, Walter was active in the Branchburg Seniors and especially enjoyed bus trips to Atlantic City with his beloved wife, Mildred “Millie.” Together, they traveled to visit friends and family in Texas, Florida, and Ohio, and shared memorable cruises to the Bahamas and Alaska. Walter also enjoyed poker with friends at the Senior Center and card games of 31 with his family. A devoted sports fan, he faithfully followed The Ohio State football team and never missed a game.

Walter had a rare and beautiful quality: a sincere, genuine interest in the lives of his family. He never directed conversations, preferring instead to listen, and he was never bored by the small, everyday details that mattered so much to those he loved. Though he enjoyed talking, his greatest joy was knowing what was “going on” in everyone’s lives.

He was deeply proud to have lived independently in the home he and Millie purchased in 1955. A devoted father, he shared a special bond with his daughter, whom she affectionately considered her first best friend. They spoke daily and enjoyed weekend drives “to nowhere,” with favorite routes including Round Valley Reservoir, Tewksbury, trips across the state, and Peddler’s Village in Pennsylvania. Often content to remain in the car, Walter simply enjoyed the scenery, followed by lunch at one of his favorite spots, Burger King or Wendy’s.

An eternal optimist, Walter faced life’s challenges with grace. After losing his home to a fire, he focused on the positive, grateful for the rebuilt house that followed. He was endlessly curious, always asking questions so he could stay involved and relevant. Creative and handy, he passed along countless skills to his family, from fishing and crabbing to refinishing furniture, hanging tile, and making Christmas crafts. During the Covid pandemic, he proudly made Christmas stars that adorned his kitchen windows.

Walter loved fishing and often left the house before sunrise to catch “the good ones.” Christmas was his favorite holiday, and even in recent years he decorated his home with care, including a small tree, wreaths, and handmade decorations. Known for his quick wit, his grandchildren fondly referred to his spontaneous jokes as “poppy-isms,” which he often encouraged them to “write down.”

Walter married the love of his life, Mildred, in 1955 at St. Ann’s Church in Raritan. They were married for 63 years before Millie’s passing in 2018. Their love story began at a bowling alley, when Walter asked Mildred for a date after her best friend declined. Walter will be remembered for his warmth, humor, love of family, and unwavering interest in the lives of others. He will be deeply missed, and life will not be the same without him.

Surviving are his loving children, his daughter, Maryann Baranowski and her partner, Ken Murphree and Mark Ezman and wife Karen, his cherished grandchildren Danielle Baranowski and partner Frank Phillips, Tara Hendricks and husband Michael, Garrett Ezman, and Logan Ezman and fiancée Haley Rich; his adored great-grandchildren Isabella and Donato Palmieri, and Mason and McGuire Hendricks his dear sister Doris Pogoloff; his niece, Jana Kotlarczyk, and nephew, Kurt Pogoloff, as well as extended family and friends.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Prayer Service will conclude at 1:00PM

Donations can be made in Walter's honor to the Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation, Donate Online.