North Caldwell Icon Elwood 'Woody' Walker Dies

Story updated Wednesday, at 5 p.m.

Former North Caldwell Councilman Elwood “Woody” Walker, considered by many a North Caldwell icon, died Wednesday morning. He was 91.

Walker lived in North Caldwell for more than 60 years, serving as a councilman from 1967 to 1972. He also served on the town’s zoning board of adjustment, the Historical Society, the Historic Commission and as a volunteer fireman in the North Caldwell Fire Department.

A former member of the North Caldwell Board of Education, he was involved in purchasing the land for Grandview Elementary School, which was built to serve a growing student population. Walker was later involved in the creation of the West Essex Regional School District and was a member of the district’s first board of education.

Close friend Bunny Jenkins was at the hospital with Walker and his family this week. She said he was alert on Tuesday and talking about one of his favorite topics, local history.

“He was very knowledgeable in the history, very bright, always thinking always coming up with ideas for betterment of the community,” Jenkins said. “Quite frankly, you don’t get too many people like that, who are always looking for the betterment of their surroundings.”

Jenkins served with Walker on the borough’s Historic Commission.

She said he was a good storyteller, a skill he put to use when he presented a slide show of North Caldwell he helped create. The slide show was shown to elementary school children and newcomers to town.

A pond on his Mountain Avenue property known as “Walker’s Pond” was a gathering place for the community for decades before the town pool and other recreational facilities were built.

North Caldwell Mayor Joseph Alessi said up until about six years ago the borough’s Christmas tree was located at Walker’s Pond.

“He’s just very beloved,” Alessi said. “He was the first citizen of North Caldwell.”

Alessi said Walker was known for giving his opinion and working hard for the town.

“He touched so many people’s lives,” he said.

Walker’s interest in local happenings remained strong up until his last days. He would drop in borough hall regularly to chat about town news and issues.

Jenkins said Walker was “very much a family man.” He would take annual trips with his family, which includes four children and five grandchildren.

His interests included attending garage sales, Jenkins said. He sifted through sales for books about the history of the area and briefcases, which he used to store paperwork for the various organizations he was involved with.

Kenneth Bechtold knew Walker for more than 50 years. They served on the North Caldwell Fire Department together and were both members of the Caldwell United Methodist Church.

Bechtold served on various committees with Walker at church. He called him a “very fine person.”

“He was very generous with his time and his talents, and as an engineer he had a lot of talents,” he said, recalling a time when Walker helped fix a piece of fire equipment.

The borough recognized Walker’s 90th birthday in September 2011 with a proclamation honoring his service to the community.

"You have led a long and productive life, earning the respect of family and friends," Mayor Alessi said at the ceremony.

In addition to the borough's proclamation, U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) in 2011 also issued a proclamation, calling Walker a "source of inspiration."

Walker was a longtime employee of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, an aircraft manufacturer in Fairfield.

He was predeceased by his wife, Carlee. 

The borough planned to fly flags at half-staff in honor of Walker.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.