Michael Samuel Walsh

Michael Samuel Walsh, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, in Evanston, IL, after a brief but courageous battle with brain cancer. Born on October 16, 1946, in Fort Wayne, IN, Michael lived a life marked by love, devotion, and integrity.
Michael was the beloved son of Raymond S. Walsh and Mary Regina, née McDermott, Walsh. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Cynthia; brother, Raymond; and grandson, Leo (Blicharz). Michael is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Lydia, née Nash; his son, Thomas G. (Sheryl) Walsh; his daughter, Jennifer M. Walsh (Glenn Blicharz); his four loving grandsons, Samuel, Harvey, and John Walsh and Graham Blicharz; his sister, Josephine Marie, née Walsh, Powers; and his loyal feline companion, Frankie.
A 1965 alumnus of Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne, Michael went on to earn a B.A. from Georgetown University in 1969. He dedicated his entire career to vocational education. He spent the majority of his professional life owning and running a successful vocational marketing and distribution business alongside his wife. His work was a testament to his commitment to developing the skills of others.
Besides his professional achievements, he also enjoyed a variety of hobbies. He was an avid reader and woodworker, a collector of tools and carved Russian bears, and a passionate tinkerer who loved puttering around the property. He cherished his time outdoors at his lake property where he took pride in making dead trees into neat stacks of firewood. He had a quirky sense of humor that made you laugh when you finally got his joke, and he could tell you where to get a good meal (including directions) if you were traveling most anywhere in the United States.
Michael's life was defined by his unwavering dedication to his family and professional pursuits. He was a source of strength and guidance to those around him, and his memory will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Visitation, Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 10 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m., at St. Nicholas Church of St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, 806 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60202.
Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
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