As many people were ringing in the New Year with anticipation of what was to come in 2021, my cousin, Sarah, and her four daughters were saying goodbye to a devoted husband and father. Sarah’s husband, Walter Kary III, died after suffering what they believe was an unexpected heart attack in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. This is some of what Sarah shared on Facebook today:

“This is the hardest thing I've ever had to post…Around midnight on New Year’s Eve, my husband Walter passed away suddenly (as for now, they think he had a sudden bad heart attack or failure of some kind). Our family is in such shock. Just needed to let some of you know. …I appreciate all the love we know we have out there, but I cannot mentally/emotionally handle receiving a ton of calls and personal messages right now….He was my everything… for almost 27 years. 2 weeks from now will be our 25th Wedding Anniversary. 2 months, his 44th birthday. This is an unbelievable shock for his kids and our families.”

Sarah and Walt share four beautiful daughters. Eve, Hannah, Olivia, and Julia. There was nothing more important to Walt than his family. 

I am starting this GoFundMe with the hope that people will respond and help share Sarah’s and their girls’ burden for funeral and other house-related expenses, as Walt was the primary source of income for their whole family. 

In 1999, Walt lost two of his sisters, including his twin, to a car accident. In December of 2019, Walt lost his sister Rosie, after a courageous battle with cancer. Both of Walt’s parents predeceased him. The family takes some comfort knowing they are now all resting peacefully together.