John Walsh

WALSH, JOHN F. John F. Walsh, 87, of East Haven, formerly of Branford, passed away peacefully April 12, 2014, at his home. He was the husband of 58 years to Ann Groark Walsh. He was born in New Haven on March 29, 1927, son of the late Frank and Margaret Sheehan Walsh. He grew up in Fair Haven, attended local schools and graduated in 1957 from Quinnipiac University. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II and was active in business and civic affairs in New Haven, CT . John’s career took him into public service as well as the private sector. Prior to his public service, he held positions as Purchasing Agent at Bigelow in Sanford, A.C. Gilbert Company and Peter Paul Candy Company. In his public service role, he served as Director of Support Services with the New Haven Police Department, Deputy Controller for the City of New Haven. John retired from his position as Director of Purchasing after 25 years of service with the City of New Haven. Following his retirement, Mr. Walsh acted as a consultant and then two years as President of the Ninth Square Association. He also served on the New Haven Parking Authority and was its chairman from 1992-1998. He was appointed in 1999 by President Clinton to the United States Postal Service Board of Governors. He was elected Vice-Chair of the Capital Projects Committee serving until his retirement from the Board in 2008. Surviving, besides his wife, are his daughter Sheila Villano and her husband John of Branford, and son Joseph Walsh and his wife Liz of Atlanta, Georgia; his grandchildren, Billy Riegelmann, Cindy Riegelmann and her fiancé Paul Piscitello, Erica Acampora and her husband Mike, Charlie Walsh and Eleanor Walsh; his great grandchildren, Paul John Piscitello III and Tyler Piscitello. He was predeceased by his sisters, Claire Flaherty and Anna Cusano. His funeral will be from Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Road, (Rte. 22 So. at Rte. 80.), North Branford, at 10:30 am on Wednesday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Therese Catholic Church, Branford. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call from 4-7 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Donations in his memory may be made to the COPD Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, FL, 33134 or by visiting their website at copdfoundation.org. Those wishing to send condolences online, may do so at www.keenanfuneralhome.com.