John H. Walton, Jr.

Called Jay, Jaysie, Giuseppe Waltoni, Golden Toe, Mr. Walton, Bear, Dad, and Grandpa, John Hunter Walton, Jr., died at age 86 on September 6, 2026, surrounded by family after a several-year decline with Lewy body dementia. Those who loved him will be pleased to know (and not the least bit surprised) that he ate only bacon and cake the day before he died.

Born May 2, 1940, in Montclair, New Jersey to Jean Berry and J. Hunter Walton, Jay was educated at the Hotchkiss School and the University of Vermont (‘62). After college, Jay moved to New York City to pursue banking with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, weathered the end of a first marriage, and realized his instincts and ambition were better suited to real estate.

In 1967, Jay moved to Boston to become a commercial broker for Leggat, McCall & Werner and quickly became one of the top brokers in Boston. In 1979, he pivoted to development and co-founded Leggat McCall Properties, serving as co-CEO and then chairman until he retired in 2000. Of all his accomplishments, Jay was proudest of his partners and the leadership they carried forward. He was also a founding partner of Hunter Southworth, Inc., and served as chairman of the Schepens Eye Research Institute.

Jay and Candy, his wife of 54 years, shared a large family of seven children, including two sons from Candy’s previous marriage. Jay was immensely proud of his family, worked hard to provide them with excellent educations and broad experiences, and showed up to their countless games, ever-ready with an honest assessment of play. Jay especially admired Candy as a mother and cherished the times he could get her to himself.

With family and friends, he shared his passions: history, reading, travel, food and drink, art and auctions, skiing, sailing, golf, backgammon, and adventure. He captained multi-day family sailing trips in Maine, took his kids bungee jumping in Africa behind Candy’s back, and taught his children, and later grandchildren, to ski with “quiet arms” in Sun Valley, Idaho. He treasured golf trips with friends to courses and clubs around the world, despite always claiming he “played like a donkey.”

The guy loved his clubs! He was a member of many, including The Country Club in Brookline, the Somerset Club in Boston, Cypress Point Club in California, and the Prouts Neck Country Club in Maine, where he served as club president and spent a lifetime of summers with his family and friends. His many friendships were marked by honesty, loyalty, and above all, fun.

Jay believed that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well. He held strong opinions and could be intimidating, but thought deeply, changed his mind when persuaded, and admitted his mistakes. He kept journals, wrote heartfelt letters, and taught his children that belonging to a community meant contributing to it.

Jay’s heart was broken in 2000 when his daughter Amanda suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. There was not a day afterward that he did not worry about her or work to ensure that she, Candy, and his children would be well cared for after he was gone.

Predeceased by his parents and brother David, Jay is survived by Candy; children Francie Karlen (Jon), Jenny Burke (Kevin), David (Majandra), Hilary Lehman (John), and Amanda; stepsons Will Hovey (Brooke) and Burr Hovey (Oping); grandchildren Byron, Sarah, Phoebe, Daphne, Taylor, Peter, Tommy, Cecilia, Lucy, Louis, Jack and George; brother Bruce (Nancy); and his niece and nephews.

One of the only Latin phrases Jay used was “sui generis,” which means “one of a kind.” It was the highest compliment he gave a person. And although he probably never thought of himself that way, those who knew and loved him agree that there was no one quite like Jay Walton.

A celebration of his life is scheduled for Monday, October 26, in Boston. All are welcome; please contact the family for details.