Michael A. Walsh

Michael Walsh, devoted and beloved husband of more than 51 years to Susan  (Sullivan) Walsh and proud and dedicated father of Mike Walsh (wife Maggie) of Marshfield; Pam Walsh of Somerville, NJ; and Tom Walsh (wife Darcy) of Windsor, CA passed away at home after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 77.

Michael was Papa to eight treasured grandchildren – Katie, Jake, Owen, Keira, Noah, Rusty, Lilah, and McKenna – who kept him young at heart and was the reason for frequent trips across the country, up and down I-95 and to various local rinks, gyms, auditoriums and fields to watch them grow, compete and perform. It never mattered what the activity was, he was just happy to be there and support them. The blessing of his short battle was that everyone got the chance to come back to Weymouth and spend a little more time with Papa.

Michael was the only son of the late Ann and Thaddeus Walsh of Dorchester and the“baby brother” of his late sister, Sister Andrea Walsh, SND. He was close with his extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws; and was the “adopted” nephew of many of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Michael grew up on Dorchester Avenue where he went to St. Gregory’s elementary school, enjoyed playing in the park across the street and had fond memories of playing hockey during the winters when they would flood the park into a makeshift rink. For high school, Michael traveled from Dorchester to St. Mary’s in Cambridge which was very fortunate as he would often meet his future wife Susan on the train during this commute to high school. Michael was an original “DIYer,” a lifelong tinkerer and mechanic so after graduating high school from St. Mary’s he went on to East Coast Aero Technical School in Bedford, MA to learn how to be an aircraft mechanic.

He quickly put those skills to use when he enlisted in the Navy in 1968 (at the height of the Vietnam War) and became a helicopter mechanic stationed in San Diego; Atsugi,Japan; and on several aircraft carriers on Yankee Station off the coast of Vietnam.During his Naval service he was assigned to a couple of helicopter squadrons, HS-6 and most notable HC-7 (the Big Mothers), the US Navy’s only dedicated combat search and rescue squadron and the most highly decorated Navy aviation unit in the Vietnam war. It was with HC-7 that Michael met Alexander Techky and they would remain great friends for the rest of his life. Shortly after his enlistment ended and Michael returned to Massachusetts, he married the love of his life Susan, and they started their life together in a small apartment in Weymouth. Michael worked as a mechanic at several car dealerships and garages to support his growing family before joining the Postal Service.It was at the Post Office where he met many of his closest friends and would end up spending the rest of his career as a maintenance mechanic until he retired in 2017.

 Michael and Susan raised their children in Quincy before moving back to Weymouth where Michael spent his time ensuring that Nana and Papa’s pool was pristine so the kids and grandkids could gather for cookouts and a swim. While Michael loved the pool and woodworking and mowing the lawn, he loved nothing more than his wife, Susan, his children, and his grandchildren (and maybe his first car, an Olds 442). As a dad, Michael taught by example. He was always there to help friends and family alike. He was the first call for many if there was an issue with the car, or the plumbing, or the heat, or the roof needed shingling, or you wanted to build a shed or a deck, or just needed a ride. He would be there shortly with a tool belt or toolbox to help and spent many a rainy night under an umbrella changing brakes or looking under the hood, often telling whoever was holding the flashlight to “point it so I can see, not so you can see.” He had a silent and steady work ethic and hardly ever took a sick day. Simply by growing up with his example you learned how to be a devoted spouse, a reliable coworker, a great friend, a helpful family member, and an outstanding parent.Michael will be sadly missed by all who knew him, but his spirit and lessons and possibly the phrase “don’t use your head as a hat rack” will live on.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Sunday 12/29/2024 from 2-5 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street (off Route 3A - Bicknell Square).  A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:30 AM on Monday December 30th, 2024, prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Jerome's Church, Weymouth at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts National  Cemetery, Bourne.  

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Michael’s memory to:

No Warriors Left Behind – The Untold Story of HC-7, Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society, Inc. (NHAHS),  HC-7 Movie Project , PO Box 180578 , Coronado, CA 92178-0578

The Sisters of Notre Dame , 30 Jeffreys Neck Road,Ipswich, Ma 01938