Walter John Hollien

Walter J. Hollien passed with family at his side on November 5, 2025. Born March 13, 1943, in White Plains, New York, he was a longtime resident of both Long Valley, New Jersey, and Watkins Glen, New York.

Self-taught in engineering and architectural design, Walter became a licensed architect and member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) through New York State, completing numerous engineering and architectural projects throughout his career. He gave frequent lectures for the Washington Township Historical Society and the Historic Societies of Tompkins and Schuyler Counties, focusing on barns and historic structures - but above all, on mills. Grist mills were his great passion, both as historical artifacts and as living examples of craftsmanship and engineering. Among his many projects, Walter worked with the Long Valley Historic Society to restore the Obadiah La Tourette Grist Mill in Long Valley, New Jersey, preventing its collapse and preserving it for future generations. His heart always remained with that project; it embodied both his craft and his spirit. It was as much his work as it was his home.

A passionate preservationist, Walter co-founded the Millstone Research Center in Burdett, New York, which showcased millstones and artifacts gathered from around the world. He lectured throughout the United States and in places abroad, including Budapest, Hungary, sharing his expertise on the preservation of mills and historic structures.

A lifelong autodidact, Walter filled his home with relics, antiques, fine art, and an extraordinary collection of books spanning subjects and genres that could put a library to shame. He also painted in watercolor and other media, finding joy in capturing the world's quiet details. Known for his colorful character, wit, and sharp humor, Walter's scholarly achievements as a self-taught man were as remarkable as his creative gifts; they were matched only by his distinctive sense of style and presentation, which reflected his individuality.

In his younger years, Walter found inspiration in his rustic cabin in Valois, New York - a simple haven surrounded by nature, near Seneca Lake, one of his favorite places to swim and enjoy the outdoors with his family and dogs. There, he lived deliberately and contentedly, embodying the self-reliance and authenticity that would define him throughout his life.

Beyond his professional and creative accomplishments, Walter was the steadfast patriarch of his family; a living example of generosity, forgiveness, and integrity of spirit. From his early teens, he worked tirelessly while charting his own path through grit and intellect. His strength, loyalty, and selflessness left an enduring mark on everyone who knew him.

He was a man of many loves: Stetson hats, Frye boots, steak and champagne, chocolate fudge sundaes, boxing, and a good game of billiards. A skilled sharpshooter and competitor with a keen eye and steady hand, Walter was recognized for his acumen in games of precision and shared these pastimes with his sons - and anyone who dared cross his path.

He admired Miles Davis, Leon Russell, Pavarotti, B. B. King, and Andy Warhol, and found inspiration in artists from Mondrian and Kandinsky to Van Gogh, Wyeth, Dali, and Rembrandt. From curating pieces of history and art to keeping a garden, he cultivated beauty in every form, surrounding himself with a thoughtfully tended array of flowers and plants as varied and distinctive as his own mosaic spirit. A lifelong lover of animals, Walter also shared his home with several adopted dogs, whom he loved dearly and cared for with devotion.

Walter's life was a tapestry of intellect, craftsmanship, and curiosity, woven with humor, creativity, and the spirit of a true original.

He is survived by his long-time partner, Mary Ellen Murray; sons, Samuel and Grant Hollien; grandchildren, Julia, Aria, Madelyn, and John Paul; and his beloved nieces and nephews, Cecil Hollien, Irma Joubert-Roose, and Julie Fullerton, whom he helped raise and cherished as his own.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 22, at The River Shed at Willow Grove Farm, 458 West Mill Road, Long Valley, New Jersey. Guests are invited to stop by and pay their respects at their leisure, from 12 o'clock noon to 6 p.m. The gathering will feature food offerings and champagne to toast Walter's memory, with music from his personal collection playing throughout the day. Those who wish may bring beverages of their own. The event is meant to celebrate Walter's life, exchange stories, and provide a warm, spirited send-off for such a one-of-a-kind man; a come-as-you-are occasion, casual rather than austere, just as Walter would have wanted.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walter's honor to the Washington Township Historical Society in Long Valley, New Jersey, supporting the preservation of local history and heritage - a cause close to his heart. Contributions may be made online at https://wthsnj.org/donate/

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