John M. "Jack" Walsh

1938 - 2021

.... of Fitchburg

FITCHBURG: John M. "Jack" Walsh age 83,a lifelong resident of Fitchburg died July 25, 2021 after a five year battle with Parkinson's and Dementia.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Betty (McDonald) Walsh, three daughters, Jane Walsh of Arlington, MA, Erin McNamara and her husband Steve of Leominster, Paula Fontaine and her husband Mike of Leominster. He is also survived by four grandchildren, James McNamara and his wife Becky, Christopher McNamara, Sarah Fontaine and Emily Fontaine, all of Leominster. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Walsh is a 1955 graduate of Fitchburg High School, attended Syracuse University Language School for the U.S. Air Force and served as a Russian Language Specialist on an isolated base in Alaska. He also attended the Gemological Institute of America and was employed as a designer and gemologist for Shreve Crump and Low of Boston for thirteen years. During this time, Jack was a lecturer and sales trainer for De Beers of London and traveled extensively for that firm in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. He was later employed by Long's Jewelers and worked throughout the greater Boston area and Southern New Hampshire.

An avid musician, beginning with the Kingsmen Drum and Bugle Corps in his youth, Jack went on to play for the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum Corps, the Fitchburg Military Band, The Leominster Colonial Band, The town bands of Westminster, Lunenburg, Townsend and Ashby, The Fitchburg High Alumni Band, and the Patrick Gilmore Society Band. He was also a member of the National Tuba Society. In 1978, he was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by the Salvation Army of Boston for playing Christmas music alongside their red kettle for the passerbys on Boylston St. Boston. After his retirement, Jack played taps for many years for local veterans services and a member of Fine Tuners Band with his close friends, who played at many senior facilities.

As a hobby, Mr. Walsh collected rare editions of the novel Don Quixote and studied Cervantes, traveling to Spain and compiling a manuscript of the various translations of this novel. He amassed a library of over 400 volumes and donated his collection to the Walsh Library at Fordham University. He also collected ventriloquist dummies and owned over 75 of them, which he would display and demonstrate to various schools and civic organizations.

Jack and his wife Betty and their family, vacationed every summer on Old Orchard Beach Maine where Jack would play his trumpet on the beach at sunset and walk his beloved Scottie dog Kielty along the shore. Jack was also a talented cartoonist and painter who spent many hours with his loving grandchildren, entertaining them with his unique interests and hobbies.

Jack's family would like to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Petullo of Health Alliance Hospital of Leominster, Health Alliance Hospice and the entire staff of the Foster Wing for their exceptional and devoted care of Jack during his final days at the hospital.

Funeral services and interment will be held privately.

The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg is assisting the family with arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com.

Donations may be made to the Salvation Army.



View the online memorial for John M. "Jack" Walsh