GERALD J. "JERRY" WALSH

WALSH GERALD J. "JERRY" WALSH, age 82, died July 17, 2011, in Rockledge, FL. Married 54 years to Marvie. Father of Gerald (Denise) and James (Jane). Poppa of Elizabeth, Jason, Gerald, Margaret and Katherine. Son of John and Agnes Walsh (deceased). Brother of John, Joseph, James, Patrick (all deceased), Agnes and Michael. Gerald was a 48-year member of The International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers, Local 17 in Cleveland, OH. From 1950-54 Gerald served aboard the USS Cadmus and USS Vulcan as a deep-sea diver. During naval duty, he also became a boxer, winning the Naval Commander Service Forces Atlantic Fleet Heavyweight Title in 1954. After honorable discharge, he became a resident of Brooklyn, NY and had a brief professional boxing career. Gerald trained at the iconic Stillman's Gym in New York City, within the shadow of the old Madison Square Garden. He won several professional bouts before leaving the Ring and moving to Chardon, OH, where he joined his brother John in the building trades. As an ironworker, he worked on many Cleveland area buildings and bridges, including the Erieview Tower, Sohio Building, Key Tower and the Valley View Bridge. From 1974-1984, he worked in Guinea, Africa on construction projects for the bauxite mining industry. Gerald was a YMCA member and enjoyed swimming, long-distance running and handball. He was deeply proud of his Irish heritage and a member of the West Side Irish-American Club. A lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, he had a deep faith in his Catholic religion, which was underscored by his support of Catholic priests in Guinea. He remained a generous friend of charities providing shelter, clothing, and food to the homeless and those suffering from mental illness and addictions. Relatives and friends are invited to gather for a Memorial Mass 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, September 24th, at Holy Family Parish, 828 Main St., Sugar Notch, PA 18706. The Family requests that donations in memory of Gerald Walsh or in lieu of flowers be made to: Project Renewal, 200 Varick St., New York, NY 10014, (212) 620-0340, http://projectrenewal.org/