W a l t e r  M i n a y a  E u l o g y

Non-violence was Walter's nature. Family meetings were a special time for Walter, where any family issues or conflicts could be resolved peacefully through quiet discussion. These meetings always ended with a family hug. Becoming twelve years of age was a special time for Walter, because this was a landmark time, when he would be responsible enough to make decisions like a man. Despite the fact that he was nearly 18, he still came to his parents for guidance and did not hesitate in physically displaying his love for his family with a bear hug or a kiss.

Walter loved people of all ages and took great joy in helping others. He was a very sensitive person with great empathy for others. Walter loved his trips to Texas to be with his grandparents and cousins, but he especially loved being there to assist his disabled grandfather. A special highlight of his life was working at Visions Camp for the Blind for two summers. He felt so fulfilled in his work there, that he wrote to his brother Greg that "I know that God is smiling down at me." Even though Walter was on the shy, quiet side around adults, he was quick to give a smile and was much more verbally expressive around his peers. He yearned for a younger sibling , but instead found great joy in being like a big brother to the younger kids in the neighborhood. He especially enjoyed babysitting younger children.

Walter had a very special relationship with his older brother, Gregory, who enjoyed indulging him with companionship and advice. Walter enjoyed visiting Gregory on his job as a therapist at a New York Psychiatric Hospital, particularly when Gregory ran disco parties for his patients and Walter was able to be the disk jockey.

At a lanky 6'5" and a wisp of a moustache on his face and still growing, Walter enjoyed his height and all the comments that friends and neighbors made about it. Special landmarks came as he passed by Dana, then Greg and finally Frank in height.

Walter enjoyed being physically active. Because of his height, he enjoyed practicing his basketball jump shot with Dad. Besides running about the grounds of Morningside Gardens with his buddies like Joseph, Chris, Perri, Jamil, Omar and Lamont to name a few, he enjoyed the swimming pool and gym at Teachers College with his buddies Javier and Bennett. He took pleasure in learning how to drive this past summer.

Walter loved nature. One of his favorite activities was to take a break by taking a family drive through the trees and changing seasons on the Palisades Parkway. Another special place for him was Family Camp at the Ten Mile River Boy Scout Reservation He was at peace in the woods and loved to go camping, whether it was winter or summer. Walter loved animals. Throughout his years, he enjoyed caring for a whole menagerie which ranged from insects to reptiles to a cat. His cat Nena, which he had throughout 1999, was a special love; he enjoyed carrying her around like a baby.

Walter's favorite school subjects were math, art, and community service. Walter enjoyed expressing himself creatively in his own way. Fortunately, he had art teachers who allowed for this creative expression. Walter's art skills were enhanced as a young child, when he would sit for hours pouring over and making observations of the artwork in picture books.

Walter's trademark was a paint-spattered, torn red hat. To him it was like a trophy which represented hard physical labor. Walter enjoyed using his hands, whether it be artwork, repairing his own bike or the bikes of others, or working at the flower shop during the 1998 holiday season.

Walter experienced a lot of travel throughout the U.S., the Dominican Republic and The Bahamas. Of all of these trips, he probably enjoyed trips to visit relatives the most: to Texas to be with Dana's relatives, to Indiana for family reunions and to the Dominican Republic to visit with Frank's family. Walter's trips to the Dominican Republic were especially formative, because there he learned the importance of humility in a world of conspicuous consumption. In the Dominican Republic, he loved communicating through love with his Spanish speaking cousins there and sharing toys and clothing with them. A very special trip for Walter was to Disney World with his cousins, Maxwell and Annette; he enjoyed a very special bond with his cousin Maxwell, who he admired for his honesty and goodness.

Walter was destined to be in the social ministry. He was happiest when he was helping others. When the Saman� Association and St. Luke's AME Church sent medical supplies and food for the hurricane relief in the Dominican Republic, Walter was very actively involved in loading the cargo container. He loved this activity so much that he and his father continued sharing food with feeding programs in churches.

Walter died on December 13th, 1999 following a tragic accident at his high school. God's will be done. May God carry Walter's soul forth to greater and new experiences and be aware that his life has been a special joy and gift to his parents and family. Walter has drawn and continues to draw his parents into a much deeper love than they could have imagined at the outset of their relationship. May his spirit of love and non-violence continue to influence his community of family and friends.