Wallace “Wally” Hartsgrove, lovingly known as “Wally, Wa Wa, Pe Pop”, 81 years old, passed away August 9, 2025.
All the superlatives written by both the First Aid squad and fire department, together with the residents of Highlands, don’t come close to describing this member of the Hartsgrove family, a family that for generations has been the heart of Highlands/
Born in Long Branch, he was a lifelong resident of Highlands, raised on Second Street, later on Navesink Avenue.
Highlands was Wally’s town. He loved it and looked after it every day and all the people in it. Driving around town in his truck often with one of the grand kids sitting right next to him, you could always count on a smile and a wave from Wally.
He was a loving husband to his wife, Linda, and caring, adoring father to his daughters, Brenda, Janis, Krista, Lisa and son-in-law, Pete. He was “Dad” to so many more who looked up to him and who he cared for with his huge, kind heart. “Pe Pop” was the fun-loving, thoughtful, fun, prankster Grand Pop to six amazing grand kids, Dominique, Jade, Griffen, Kallie, Aaron and Noah.
Linda and Wally, Wally and Linda, you wouldn’t see one without the other. A true package deal for 53 years. Best friends who loved hanging out together either at home or driving around Highlands, they enjoyed camping, going to Wildwood, and being with friends.
Son of the late Wallace and Lillian, lucky number eight of e11 children. Wally had seven sisters, three brothers and many, many nieces and nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. One very big, happy family.
Wally started working first with Potters Tree Service climbing and cutting trees, and also served as custodian for Brookdale College. He spent his career with the Middletown Board of Education for 35 years where he worked as a custodian and grounds keeper. He loved his tractor and would often be seen riding it around cutting grass with a huge, happy smile on his face.
After retiring from Middletown, he worked as a crossing guard in Highlands and looked forward to seeing the kids every day. He worked nights and weekends as a security guard at Driftwood Beach Club and made sure everyone got home safely, even if it meant driving them home himself.
He went back to Middletown after retiring because he loved it so much and all the people he worked with. Wally was just someone who put his whole heart into everything he did and loved doing it.
He was a proud and dedicated member of the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department for 58 years, was an ex-Chief and a friend to everyone. He would drive the Chief’s car for the parades and volunteered every year at the 50/50 booth for Clam Fest, signing up for ticket sales so he could talk with everyone. Wally was an honorary member and ex-Captain of the Highlands First Aid and you could see him many days driving the ambulance with a great sense of urgency and looking after every single person. He was selfless and loved living a life of service to his community.
Wally’s true passion was camping. He loved camping with his family, watching wrestling Friday nights with the grand kids and going to Collingwood for pizza. He and the grand kids would cook Thanksgiving dinner for the campground, always becoming known as Wally’s World. For downtime, he would visit the Katz crew and drink coffee and do scratch-offs or you could find him in the kitchen cooking and helping out at Branin’s Wharf.
Wally had a friend everywhere, it didn’t matter where you were, you would meet a friend of Wally’s. He had a contagious smile, an infectious laugh, and a heart of gold. He was a kind, generous, loving, happy spirit and would do anything for you, friends and strangers alike, and give you the shirt off his back. He loved driving around town checking on his people, and spending warm summer days barbecuing and fishing with the grand kids.
Wally’s super power was figuring out what people needed, especially those who may have come across hard times, and lifting people up. Wally was a friend to all and the nicest person you would ever meet. You couldn’t help but love him. He was truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed.
Friends are invited to join in celebrating Wally and his beautiful, kind and loving spirit this Wednesday, August 13, from 4pm to 8pm at Evergreen Funeral Home 1735 Rt 35 Middletown.
Burial services will be Thursday, August 14, at 10am at Evergreen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family, in true Wally’s style, is asking all to consider making a donation or volunteering for the Highlands Fire Department and First Aid in his memory.
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