James P. Walsh

James P. “Jim” Walsh, Jr, 80, of Southbury, died July 24, surrounded by loved ones, following an accident earlier in the day. He was born September 3, 1931, in Albany, N.Y., and was the treasured husband of 57 years of Margaret “Meg” Bement Walsh, and the son of the late Mildred L. and James P. Walsh of Albany, N.Y.

In addition to his wife, his six much-loved children and their spouses, James F. and Dinah Walsh of Newtown, Michael J. and Nina Walsh of Roxbury, Kevin P. and Sandra Walsh of Fairfield, Sharon and David Brace of Sewell, N.J., Colleen and Christopher Mars of Scarborough, Maine, and Mary Kathleen and Julio Ceballos of Atlanta, Ga.; his 20 cherished grandchildren; a beloved sister, Ellen Walsh Barber, and her husband Richard; his beloved brother, Edmund Walsh; and several nieces and nephews survive Mr Walsh.

Mr Walsh was a 1954 graduate of Siena College in New York, where he recruited to play basketball and baseball. He is remembered by his teammates as a talented natural athlete and scrappy competitor, helping his teams to many successful seasons at Siena. He was a member of the 1952-53 Siena basketball team that extended a game to six overtimes, which was the longest game in NCAA history at the time (now second longest).

After completing his studies at Siena, Mr Walsh was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers and played for one season in the Dodgers farm system before embarking on a successful 30-plus-year career as an executive with the Equitable Life Assurance Co.

While raising his family in Wallingford, Clinton, Newtown, and Orlando, Fla., he could always be found on the field coaching youth sports. He was adored by his players and their parents for his commitment, integrity, love of the game, and sense of humor.

Mr Walsh was also a loyal member of the local Catholic Church wherever the family settled, and he was a Eucharistic minister. He was a dedicated member of the volunteer Ambulance Association in Heritage Village, Southbury.

Following his retirement from Equitable in the late 1980s, he could often be found helping his son, Jimmy, and grandson, Jamie, run the mulch yard at JF Walsh Mulch & Logging in Newtown. He made many friends there among fellow employees and customers due to his warm and caring personality, and ready willingness to share a joke or funny story. He also developed the nickname “Pops,” which he loved.

Visitation hours will be held Friday, July 27, from 5 to 8 pm, at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South, Southbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, July 28, at 10 am, also at Sacred Heart Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to either the Sacred Heart Church Mustard Seed Fund at www.sacredheartchurch.info; the Heritage Village Ambulance Association at www.hvambulance.org; or Autism Speaks, www.autismspeaks.org.

Carpino Funeral Home in Southbury is managing arrangements.

The Newtown Bee        July 27, 2012