Former Scotch Plains Mayor, Councilman Walter Grote Dies

Former Scotch Plains mayor and councilman Walter Grote died on Friday of natural causes. Grote was 90 years old. 

Services will continue today, with a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 54 High Street, Newton.

"Walter was a former mayor and councilman of Scotch Plains, NJ, longtime employee of Standard Oil (aka S.O., Esso, Exxon, Exxon-Mobil), former elder at Willow Grove (Scotch Plains) & Brick Presbyterian Churches," reads his obituary on the Smith-McCracken Funeral home website.

"He was a former Master Sergeant in the United States Army when he oversaw German prisoners at Fort Niagara, New York, during World War II. As devoted as he was to his God, his country and his employer, Walter was thoroughly committed to his family. For as long as he was physically able, he always prioritized family activities, rarely missing a child's team's game or meet whether they were playing or sitting on the bench."

Read the full obituary, here.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to KidsPeace Corporate Headquarters, 4085 Independence Drive, Schnecksville, PA 18078-2574; Bristol Glen Fellowship Fund, 200 Bristol Glen Drive, Newton, NJ, 07860.