Bernard J Walsh III

Bernard Joseph Walsh, known to all as Joe, died peacefully on December 5, 2025, after a long struggle with lung disease. This struggle slowed him down but never stopped him from going on cruises, eating tomato pie at DeLorenzo's with his friends, and talking with anyone he happened to meet.
Born on May 20, 1947 in Abington, PA, he was raised with his brothers Mickey and David and his sister Peggy in Levittown. After starting at Trenton Junior College, he completed his BA at the University of Massachusetts, and then went on to earn an MSW degree from Temple School of Social Work. After working for Head Start and teaching high school religion, Joe went to work at the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services, where he investigated and supervised child abuse cases. He later had a long career with the NJ Division of Family Development as a project developer and administrator. He retired as the Chief of the Bureau of Quality Control.
Joe was undeniably intelligent, analytical, and principled. But what he is most remembered for is the gift of gab, his sense of humor and his compassion. Joe would, and did, talk to anyone he met, and his often irreverent wit would soon have them laughing along with him at life's absurdities and quirks. Joe also had the gift of making people feel welcomed an accepted. In particular, he made it a point to speak with people who he thought might feel on the outside or unseen.
At the core of Joe's life was his faith. He said that it was his upbringing in the Catholic faith and his belief in God that got him through many struggles, especially early in his life when he was dealing with his identity as a gay man. He later became comfortable with who he was, a proud Catholic gay man. He was a founding member of the Philadelphia chapter of Dignity USA, the world's oldest organization for ministry to and advocacy for the gay community. Joe prayed daily, experienced God's grace often in nature, and, in extraordinary moments, felt God's presence and peace.
Joe was predeceased by his parents and by his siblings, Peggy, Mickey, and David. He was also predeceased by his good friends Joe Skerret, Pat Nardone, and David Emge. He is survived by his nephew Jim Stallone, Jim's wife Becky, and their two daughters, Hannah and Abigail; his niece Jane Stallone and her wife Kate, and his brother-in-law Vince Stallone. He loved them all dearly.
Joe will be warmly and lovingly missed by many coworkers and friends, with whom he danced, skied, cruised, philosophized, complained, and laughed.
If you wish to make a donation in Joe's memory, please send a gift to with the Rescue Mission of Trenton or the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bernard J Walsh III, please visit our floral store.