James Francis Walsh of Sarasota, FL and Lake Geneva, WI passed away on March 20, 2014. He was born in Buffalo, NY to James and Hazel Walsh on August 22, 1937. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1959 and was a loyal Spartan fan all of his life. Following graduation, he married Nancy (nee Kelleher) in 1960 and they moved to Chicago where they began their 53 year adventure. Jim was a proud newspaper man. He began his career at the Chicago Tribune in 1960 where he excelled in the advertising department for 20 years. Jim then moved to the Daily Herald where he made his mark as the Vice President of Advertising for an additional 20 years. In retirement, he continued to enjoy his daily paper each morning over coffee with Nancy. While he always enjoyed the work, the most cherished parts of his long career were the many wonderful friendships he made along the way. Jim was a person who truly had his priorities straight. Family always came first, followed closely by his strong faith and his many friendships. If you were a part of any of these groups, your life was sure to be richer for it. Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, his children Jim III (Wendy), Kelly, Tim (Mary), Kerry, Tracy Ahlbeck (Dirk) and Mike (Heather). He was the loving grandfather of Kevin, Jimmy IV, Jack, Caitlin, Tricia, Emma, Brendan, Joe, Danny, Megan and baby Patrick. Jim is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. This was what it was all about for Jim. Each birth, baptism, graduation, marriage and all other major life accomplishments brought him tears of joy. In 2010 Jim and Nancy celebrated 50 years of marriage with a wonderful trip to the outer banks of North Carolina with their entire clan. Don't grieve too long for Jim for he truly lived a life without regret. He never put off to tomorrow what could be done today. This usually applied to visiting friends and family but he indulged in other interests as well. As recently as 2011, he was able to pay honor to our WWII vets by joining a mission to the jungles of Papua New Guinea in search of fighter planes brought down in battle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in care of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Sarasota, FL. He would also be honored by an act of kindness to a stranger, hugging a loved one or making a child smile. Visitation for Jim will be held at Oehler Funeral Home in Des Plaines on Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 3-9 PM. A funeral mass to send our big guy home will be held for him at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Des Plaines on Friday, March 28th at 10 AM. He will be laid to rest in Mary's Garden at St. Thomas More Church in Sarasota, Florida. Keep the Faith.
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My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family, as you know Jim loved his golf and we [ Tatum Ridge Men's Golf Association] valued his friendship, he will be missed by all of us.
john kardosz
April 6, 2014
Dear Nancy and Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He truly was one of the nicest guys we knew. We have fond memories of him at the Food Products club as well as at the Irish Fellowship Club, The Trib and the Daily Herald.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Jim and you.
Sincerely, Tim and Carla Stacy
April 1, 2014
Dear Nancy,
I am so sorry about Jim's passing. He will surely be misssed by everyone lucky to know him. I am sad I am not there with you and your family at this time. After reading the beautifully written obituary, I knew in my heart that Jim would want me to "hug a loved one" and I decided to go ahead with my plans and visit my Mom in Houston, TX. I arrived today and will return to NY on Tuesday. He is probably laughing that I also made my children smile by giving them a peaceful long weekend away from their nagging Mom. I will always remember Jim's sense of humor and his big heart.
Hugs and kisses to you and the family.
Love,
Mary
Mary McClellan Hoefling
March 27, 2014
Dear Nancy and family,
I am so sorry about Jim's passing. He surely will be missed. I am sad I am not there with all of you now but after reading the beautifully written obituary I knew in my heart that Jim would want me to "hug a loved one" so I continued with my plans to see my Mom in Houston, TX. I just arrived today & will be back in NY on Tuesday. I am sure Jim is laughing that I also brought a smile to a child by giving my children a peaceful long weekend without their nagging Mom. I will never forget Jim's wonderful sense of humor & big heart.
Love,
Mary
Mary McClellan Hoeflinger
March 27, 2014
Mrs Walsh (ok--Nancy!) and family,
I will miss Mr Walsh tremendously--he is such a BIG part of many of my memories, in so many states! I'm sad with you, and please know that I am keeping you in my prayers.
Love,
Jeanne Stahmer
Jeanne Stahmer
March 27, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Walsh family
Thomas Stahl & Family
March 27, 2014
To the Walsh family,
We are so very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. He was a very kind man to everyone he met. Celebrating a life well lived. We can cherish in the fond memories forever. We feel blessed to have met a man with such big heart. Our sincere sympathy to the whole Walsh family. White Lake will not be the same with out him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
The Beck family
Tim,Kim,Abby,Hannah,& Timmy
Tim & Kim Beck
March 26, 2014
Our sincere condolences to Nancy and family, Jim was a great man. Joe & Mary Lou O'Malley
March 26, 2014
So very sorry to hear about
Mr Walsh's passing. Your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers . We will miss him at White Lake.. Love to you all. The Malone's
March 25, 2014
Dear Mrs. Walsh and Family,
Our sincere sympathy go out to you and your family. Mr. Walsh was a terrific leader at the Daily Herald. He was very well liked and respected. I always think of him and you every St. Patrick's Day because that's the day he would bring to work your delicious soda bread for all of us to partake. Sincerely, Wanda and Bill Bain
March 25, 2014
Wow, so sad to hear of Big Jim's passing! Just looking at his smile makes you happy! The Walsh clan was blessed to have such a great man for a Father/Husband/Friend. Many fun and silly times have been shared with the St. Mary's circle of friends. Two many stories to share, but the one that stands out is the HUGE party in the Walsh basement for the 1986 Bears Super Bowl! What a celebration Jim and Nancy put on. Well he will be missed! Oh yeah and we cannot forget the staple IRISH SWEATER! Slainte Mr. Walsh - say hello to Larry, he would love to have a nip with you.
The Keegan family.
March 25, 2014
Dear Kerry and family
My prayers and love to you all on the passing of your father. May his love and memories remain in your heart
Fran Masucci
March 24, 2014
My condolences to Nancy and all the Walshes. Jim was truly a family man with his priorities straight. Jim hired me in 1981 to the Daily Herald staff. He became my boss, my mentor and a wonderful friend for life. I have many fond memories of times spent in his company. He and Nancy were a wonderful couple to be with. He will be missed greatly by family and countless friends.
Karin Holm
March 24, 2014
We are so sorry for Nancy and his family. He was always such a nice friendly guy to be with, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company. We will certainly miss him. Our heartfelt prayers for his family especially his darling, Nancy.
Kathy and Jim McLaughlin
March 23, 2014
My deepest sympathies to the entire Walsh family. I met Jim 27 years ago when I started working in the Daily Herald advertising department. Jim wasn't just our boss, he was a great leader and a true mentor. He created a team that wasn't just a group of co-workers, but a group of true friends. Friendships that last until this day. I'll always be grateful to him for taking a chance and hiring a kid right out of college, who really knew nothing and teaching me most of what I know about sales to this day. A truly great man who will be missed.
Nadine Graber
March 23, 2014
To Nancy & family,
We will miss seeing Jim at the PC functions such as the yacht club rendezvous and the social club parties. I will especially miss helping him wrap the lights around the PC poles for the holidays.
With deepest sympathy,
Sally & Andy
Sally Billington
March 22, 2014
I was so privileged to have shared some fun times over the years in the lives of Mr Walsh and the family through my friendship with his daughter Kerry. He and Mrs Nancy made me feel like a part of the family and welcomed me anytime I came around. A great loss to us her on earth...A great gain for Heaven.
Farewell to the Big Guy...Your legacy lives on forever.
Teresa Pettway
March 21, 2014
My Dad and Jim were very good friends at the Tribune. They were also a great foursome for Saturday morning golf. When I moved to Dallas Jim and Nancy called and visited me. Bob Benson's Daughter Pat Smerge
Pat Smerge
March 21, 2014
So sorry to hear this news. My deepest sympathies to Nancy, Jimmy, Kelly, Tim, Tracy, Mike, and all the Grandchildren. I have so many, many great memories of Jim. He was always positive, always smiling. And he was a great supporter of my music from early on and instrumental in the launch of the first Arranmore album. He even flew me out to Buffalo one time to play for a family party and before the party started, drove me out to Niagra Falls, just so I could say I was there. My favorite memories, however, are meeting with him for lunch at one of his favorite spots - Franks for the Memories for original Buffalo Wings. It was my introduction to authentic wings and every time I go there still, I think of Jim. Franks for the Memories, Jim.
Kevin O'Donnell
March 21, 2014
Jim -Mike & entire Walsh family sorry to hear of your loss
Bob Finn
March 21, 2014
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