Obituary for Walter R. Archer, Jr.
OXFORD, CT: Walter R. Archer,Jr. age 92 of Oxford, a longtime resident of Orange entered into peaceful rest on January 7, 2023 at his home with his devoted family by his side; he was the beloved husband of the late Antoinette (Cerritelli) Archer. Mr. Archer was born February 27, 1930 in Derby, son of the late Walter R., Sr. and Evelyn (Peterson) Archer.
Mr. Archer was a long-time business and civic leader in the Valley. He lead W.R. Archer Company, for many years as CEO transforming the business starting a cardboard and newspaper recycling programs well before this was a widely used practice. Mr. Archer saw that the consolidation of the waste management business was on the horizon and the sale of W.R. Archer Company to national firm BFI was the first of its kind in Connecticut. After selling to BFI he changed his focus to property investment creating Burtville Associates, work included the revitalization of the Ansonia- Derby Brewing Company property on Derby Avenue.
Mr. Archer also served on a number of corporate and non-profit boards. This included many years as a member of the Board of Directors for Derby Saving Bank and as a Corporater of Griffin Hospital. Walter supported many non-profits throughout the Valley and was honored and recognized throughout the Valley for his many contributions to the community. He focused much of his giving to the Birmingham Group including the creation of Antionette’s Angels, a fund dedicated to a safe house and support programs for battered women. He also had a life long commitment to scouting in the Valley. Mr. Archer served on the Housatonic Council Executive Board. He had a special partnership with Troop 3 and Pack 3 in Derby. He was particularly close with scout leader Ed Strang who was Walter’s cubmaster. Mr. Archer and Ed Strang partnered to create a newspaper recycling program for the scouts. The revenue generated helped create additional opportunities for scouts throughout the Valley. Mr. Archer was recognized for his commitment to scouting with the Housatonic Council Good Scout Award and 3 for Life award presented by Troop 3. He was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Oxford. Walter was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, and was a member of Post 127 American Legion, Orange.
Walter leaves his loving family including his son, Walter R. Archer, III and his wife Teri of Oxford, and his daughter, Debra Hofmann and her husband Irving in Maine. He was Beloved Papa to the “loves of his life”: Kevin Hofmann (Leslie), Erin Lane (Gregg), Nikki Long (Pat), Adrienne Hofmann (Arne Smith), Walter R. Archer, IV (Katie), Megan McKirryher (Dan); and all their “funny little kids”: Damian, Ellie, Rexy, Donavanne, Dane, Paddy, Parker, Faelyn, Lyla, Angelina, Walter V, Harland, Charlotte, Ava, Vivian, & Wade
Calling Hours are Wednesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour. The funeral service in celebration of Walter’s life will be Thursday beginning at the funeral home at 9 Am, with a mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 10 Am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 733 Oxford Road, Oxford. Entombment will follow at Mount St. Peter Cemetery, Derby with full Military Honors. Memorial Gifts may be sent to Antoinette’s Angels, BH Care, 435 Main Street, Ansonia, CT 06401.
Mr. Archer was a long-time business and civic leader in the Valley. He lead W.R. Archer Company, for many years as CEO transforming the business starting a cardboard and newspaper recycling programs well before this was a widely used practice. Mr. Archer saw that the consolidation of the waste management business was on the horizon and the sale of W.R. Archer Company to national firm BFI was the first of its kind in Connecticut. After selling to BFI he changed his focus to property investment creating Burtville Associates, work included the revitalization of the Ansonia- Derby Brewing Company property on Derby Avenue.
Mr. Archer also served on a number of corporate and non-profit boards. This included many years as a member of the Board of Directors for Derby Saving Bank and as a Corporater of Griffin Hospital. Walter supported many non-profits throughout the Valley and was honored and recognized throughout the Valley for his many contributions to the community. He focused much of his giving to the Birmingham Group including the creation of Antionette’s Angels, a fund dedicated to a safe house and support programs for battered women. He also had a life long commitment to scouting in the Valley. Mr. Archer served on the Housatonic Council Executive Board. He had a special partnership with Troop 3 and Pack 3 in Derby. He was particularly close with scout leader Ed Strang who was Walter’s cubmaster. Mr. Archer and Ed Strang partnered to create a newspaper recycling program for the scouts. The revenue generated helped create additional opportunities for scouts throughout the Valley. Mr. Archer was recognized for his commitment to scouting with the Housatonic Council Good Scout Award and 3 for Life award presented by Troop 3. He was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Oxford. Walter was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, and was a member of Post 127 American Legion, Orange.
Walter leaves his loving family including his son, Walter R. Archer, III and his wife Teri of Oxford, and his daughter, Debra Hofmann and her husband Irving in Maine. He was Beloved Papa to the “loves of his life”: Kevin Hofmann (Leslie), Erin Lane (Gregg), Nikki Long (Pat), Adrienne Hofmann (Arne Smith), Walter R. Archer, IV (Katie), Megan McKirryher (Dan); and all their “funny little kids”: Damian, Ellie, Rexy, Donavanne, Dane, Paddy, Parker, Faelyn, Lyla, Angelina, Walter V, Harland, Charlotte, Ava, Vivian, & Wade
Calling Hours are Wednesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour. The funeral service in celebration of Walter’s life will be Thursday beginning at the funeral home at 9 Am, with a mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 10 Am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 733 Oxford Road, Oxford. Entombment will follow at Mount St. Peter Cemetery, Derby with full Military Honors. Memorial Gifts may be sent to Antoinette’s Angels, BH Care, 435 Main Street, Ansonia, CT 06401.