Edward J. Walsh

Edward J. Walsh Tewksbury, Lowell co. worker, WWII vet; 83 TEWKSBURY Edward J. Walsh, age 83, a resident of Tewksbury for the past two years, died Monday, October 15, 2007, at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford, following an extended illness. He was the husband of 56 years to Loretta M. (Ferraro) Walsh, who died Sept. 15, 2005. Born in Cambridge, on Oct. 12, 1924, he was the son of the late James F. and Catherine (de St. Croix) Walsh. Mr. Walsh attended St. Mary's Parochial School, and Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. At age 15, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked at Mount Kearsage and Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire, as a lumberjack. On October 12, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II aboard the battleships U.S.S. Nevada and U.S.S. Iowa, as a radio operator. According to his family, he was aboard the U.S.S. Nevada during the attack on Pearl Harbor, as an anti-aircraft gunner. He was then sent to the University of Chicago and became a radio operator aboard the U.S.S. Iowa, as a member of her first crew. He then transferred back to the U.S.S. Nevada, where he participated during the invasion at the Aleutian Islands, Utah Beach Normandy, where he volunteered to go ashore with the first wave, Anzio Beach, Southern France, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and the invasion of Sicily. He was awarded several decorations including the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal with three stars, and the European African Medal with two stars. Mr. Walsh resided in Somerville, Billerica, Westford and Laconia, NH, until moving to Tewksbury in 2005. He was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Parish of Lowell. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as a sales- person by Harmon's Paint & Wallpaper Co., of Lowell. Mr. Walsh was a former member of the Somerville Kiwanis Club, Harvard Sportsman Club, and the North Cambridge Knights of Columbus. In addition, he was past president and member of the Middlesex Boxer Club. He enjoyed many activities including music, reading, breeding and showing A.K.C. registered boxers, raising tropical fish, and horticulture. His passion for fresh water fishing was equally matched by his love of politics, and the New England Patriots. He is survived by his children, Loretta M. Bemis and her husband, Francis J., with whom he resided of Tewksbury, Edward J. Walsh, II of Salisbury, and Michael D. Walsh of Woburn; six grandchildren, Francis J. Bemis, Jr., Valerie A., Jennifer M., and Stephany L. Bemis, all of Tewksbury, U.S.M.C. second lieutenant, David M. Walsh and his wife, Julie currently stationed in Quantico, VA, and Daniel E. Walsh of Littleton; two great-grandchildren, Alec and Michael Walsh of Quantico, VA; three sisters, Catherine G. Walsh of Cambridge, Marion Rowell and her husband, Robert of Camden, ME, and Rosalie Rand and her husband, Ron of Manchester, NH; two sisters-in-law, Aida Imperioso and her husband, Ramo of Medford, and Joan Ferraro of Strafford, NH; as well as several nieces and nephews. WALSH Edward J., of Tewksbury, Oct. 15. Calling hours Sunday, 3-7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Monday at 12:30 p.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 1:30 p.m., at the Immaculate Conception Church, 144 E. Merrimack St., Lowell. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org); www.farmeranddee.com