Walter Thomas Hartnett, age 85, born May 29, 1939, passed away Sept 04, 2024 at Anna Maria of Aurora.
The owner of Elite Business Service, he lived and worked in Solon for more than 60 years, taking great pride in his work, home and community.
Born in the Bronx, NY, Walter lived with his mother and grandparents at the Lutheran church led by his grandfather the Rev. Walter Rohde.
A few years later, the family relocated to Lakewood, OH where they operated a boarding house. Here Walter learned how to cook and the joy of sharing that food with others. This was also where he would learn his love of dogs, breeding, raising and showing AKC Champion German shepherds with his mother.
At 17, Walter dropped out of high school to begin a career in office equipment sales and service, serving clients all over Ohio and earning high praise for his ability to repair anything. In 1974, Walter opened Elite Business Service, where he worked until May 2024.
Walter got his GED and learned many more skills - in mechanics, building/construction and police work. He took great pride in his Police Auxiliary Officer badge, earned in the 1960s with the Cleveland Police Department. For the next 20 years, he kept the peace at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
It seems fitting that Walter would meet Marilyn Mertl at a dog show, where she too was showing a German shepherd. In his heart, she was the best of show; and they married and spent 50 years working together at home, church and the office.
Having a child was a great source of pride and joy for Walter and Marilyn who attended every school event and celebrated every milestone with daughter Jennifer, her husband Doug, and grandsons Chet and Max.
Walter and Marilyn would spend their golden years traveling to dog shows - negotiating with stubborn, but good boy basset hounds Chevy, Murphy and Rex.
Family was foremost to Walter. And that extended to his brothers in blue, neighbors, church friends and even strangers. It was unusual for Walter to show up anywhere without bakery to share. He was famous for his peach pound cake and German stollen.
Walter was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Marie and Norm Kautsky, wife Marilyn, and niece Helga Kautsky. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Hartnett Smith, (Doug), grandsons Chet and Max Smith, nephew, Bruce Kautsky and great nephews Phil and Tim Kautsky.
In his last few years, Walter was paid back for his kindness to others. He couldn't have lived life on his terms without the help of neighbors Sharon and Ed Skok, Bernetta Hicks, Charlie, Amber, Brendan & Aurora Dickens; business associate Kim Pandy; friends and fellow basset lovers Lou Castro, and Vern & Debbie Petra; chiropractor & confidantes Dr. David and Mary Radford, and his church family at Parkside. A special thanks to Heidi from Right at Home, the rehab and nursing staff at Anna Maria and Affinity Hospice for making him feel special until his last day.
Remember, there is no right way or wrong way...only Walter's way. He believed in hard work, doing a job right, taking care of others, giving generously and sharing what you have.  Each day when you do those things, his legacy lives on.
Memorial gifts may be made to Solon Police Department K9 Donation Fund, c/o Lt. William Vajdich, 33000 Solon Road, Solon, OH 44139 to support active duty dogs Henry, Mack and Vito and their officers. Friends and family may call Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Tabone-Komorowski Funeral Home, 33650 Solon Road. Burial will be private.