Walter B. Dunbar, Jr. of Stratford, Connecticut died peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on February 23, 2026 at the age of 88. Known for his warm smile, gentle patience, compassionate public service, and practical and organized nature, Walt will be missed by many.

Walt was born on August 24, 1937 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to the late Walter B. Dunbar, Sr. and Helen Scanlin Dunbar.  He was raised in Stratford, Connecticut, with his older brother David. Walt attended Center School and graduated from Stratford High School in 1955. He was a Boy Scout, paperboy, and life guard. While they weren't wed until 1962, it was in Stratford Center, during his high school years, where he met his future wife, Geraldine Murray Dunbar. After high school, he attended Springfield College where he played four years of football and graduated in 1959 with a teaching degree. He served six years in the U.S. Army reserves.

Walt spent his entire educational career in the Stratford School System starting in 1960 as a social studies teacher, driver's education instructor, football and track coach. During this time Walt earned his Master's Degree and Sixth Year Certificate in Administration from the University of Bridgeport. In 1967 he was appointed as an Assistant Principal at Bunnell High School and in 1971 he became Principal. He is remembered as a patient and steady leader, working with students and staff to provide a comprehensive education during politically tumultuous times.

In 1988 he was appointed the Superintendent of Stratford Schools where he remained until his retirement in 1994. Walt was intentional, balanced, collaborative, and progressive in his approach to improving education in Stratford and brought many new and innovative changes that improved the educational experience of students in Stratford with special attention to students furthest from opportunity. He supported an early intervention reading program, a highly successful afterschool Grades 6 and 8 remediation program, and brought student assistance teams into schools through his involvement with RYASAP. Walt sought to improve instructional practices by introducing Madeline Hunter's Model of Mastery Learning, while he also carefully and collaboratively instituted practices that racially balanced Stratford schools, and empathetically guided the schools through the AIDS epidemic. Now de rigueur in public education, Walt created and publicized a plan for school improvement through the establishment of system-wide goals.

After retirement, Walt formed a business with his wife, Gerry, called Dunbar Computer Gems. This business focused on bringing computing opportunities to early childhood settings. Walt loved the opportunity to run a business, mentor the teachers they hired, and see the joy young students experienced when exposed to educational technology programs. Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar ran this company for 6 years.

Upon this second retirement, Walt continued to be a dedicated public servant. He served as a volunteer guardian ad litem for ten years, providing support to families in need and advocating for children. He was the president of the Metropolitan Bridgeport Athletic Conference, President of the Stratford Community Fund, Chairman of the First Ecclesiastical Society of Stratford, and a member of the Stratford Visiting Nurses Association Board of Directors.

During his lifetime, believing in putting his faith into action, Walt was an active member and leader in his church, the First Congregational Church of Stratford. In addition to being a deacon, he served on multiple church boards and committees including chairman of the Board of Trustees, member of the Church Council, and co-founder of the Social Justice Committee. In addition to his devotion to improving public education, Walt spent most Sundays through his Superintendency teaching third grade Sunday School at the First Congregational Church in Stratford. Believing that he should be using the same instructional practices he was asking of teachers, he valued this chance to directly teach young people each Sunday morning.

Ever the lifelong leader, he took seriously his role as a community leader and educated himself on issues of racial justice, LGBTQIA+ allyship, and environmental issues in order to create the change he wished to see in the world. He was a leader on the Stratford Racial Justice Task Force, the Stratford Homelessness Task Force, and led efforts to educate others about ways to reduce their use of plastics and recycle to continue to care for the Earth as part of the Love of Creation mission at his church.

Throughout all these endeavors, he is remembered as a calm and patient presence, a deep listener, and an organized leader. While his height (6'4") and roles (principal and superintendent) felt intimidating to many, his warm smile and gentle guidance resulted in many friends and admirers. An inspiration to many, colleagues, friends, and family members often found themselves asking "What would Walt do?" when in difficult situations.

In addition to his volunteering and professional roles, Walt had many hobbies and activities. He was an active member of the Stratford Senior Men's Club where he was loved for his punny jokes, newsletters, and bocce and bowling enthusiasm. He tended a vegetable garden throughout his life, learned caning, mosaics, and stained glass work in his retirement, and jogged and lifted weights regularly. His love of chocolate chip cookies, loyalty to the New York Giants football team, Coca-Cola can collection, and enjoyment of his pets and grandpets were legendary. Walt shared his deep love and respect for the Housatonic River with his children and grandchildren, finding ways to explore the river with them throughout their lives via rowboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and even slides off the end of the dock. He will be remembered by those closest to him for pillow fights, campfire songs, and general playfulness and also as their confidante and pillar of strength.

Above all of his accomplishments and roles in life, none was greater than his role as husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He loved his family above all else and is survived by his much beloved wife of 63 years, Geraldine Murray Dunbar of Stratford, Connecticut, and his children and their partners, The Rev. Michael-Ann Veziroglu (Emre Veziroglu) of Crownsville, Maryland; Bruce Dunbar (Anne Connell) of South Salem, New York; and Dr. Kyle Dunbar (John Dunbar) of Alexandria, Virginia as well as his deeply loved grandchildren (in order of birth) Teaghan Dunbar, Delmy Veziroglu, Derya Veziroglu, and Jamie Dunbar. He is also survived by his brother David Dunbar and his wife Martha Dunbar, of Fairview, Texas, sisters-in-law Beatrice Murray of Vero Beach, Florida, Nancy Murray of Shelton, Connecticut, and Janice Murray of East Lyme, Connecticut and nieces and nephews (listed in order of birth) the late Susan Geddes of Plano, Texas; Dawn Murray of Stratford, Connecticut; Kim Martinez, of Weston, Florida; Jeffrey Dunbar of Tomball, Texas; Scott Murray of Shelton, Connecticut; Kristen Butler of Plano, Texas; John Murray of Pompano Beach, Florida; Shawn Murray of New Milford, Connecticut; Brett Murray of Katy, Texas; and Glenn Murray of Vero Beach, Florida.

The Dunbar family thanks Masonicare Hospice for their support and comfort after Walt's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

A visitation will be held Saturday, March 7th from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Dennis and D'Arcy Abriola and Kelemen Funeral Home, 2611 Main St, Stratford, CT 06615, United States.

A celebration of life service is planned for May 30th beginning at 11:00am, followed by a reception at the First Congregational Church of Stratford, 2301 Main St, Stratford, CT 06615.

In lieu of flowers, the Dunbar family requests donations be made to the First Congregational Church of Stratford, https://www.firstchurchstratford.org/pledges-donations