William J. Walsh

Brighton – William J. Walsh, age 80, passed away peacefully, on October 25, 2025. His mother Helen also passed on October 25, 30 years earlier, a blessing for them both. Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease but handled the challenge with courage and grace.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Sandra Walsh; two daughters, Julia Postler of Victor and Maura "Molly" (David) Kirby of Pittsford; two stepsons, Alexander (Kimberly) Bacon of Canandaigua and Tracy (Andrea) Bacon of Wilmington, NC; four grandchildren, Will and Charley Postler, Meghan and Harry Kirby; four step-grandchildren, Jack and Macy Bacon, Cameron and Charlotte Bacon; two brothers, David (Judith) Walsh of Charlotte, NC and Michael Walsh of Hilton Head, SC; many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Bill was born in Batavia, NY and was the son of Walter and Helen (Young) Walsh. He grew up in Auburn, NY and attended Holy Family Grammar School, Mt. Carmel High School '63 and went on to the University of Scranton, where he earned his bachelor's degree. Upon graduation, Bill moved to Rochester, NY and started his career with Rochester Telephone Co. in their finance and management training department, where he discovered his love for accounting and finance. He then took a position as an apprentice with Coopers & Lybrand, while studying for his CPA certification. Bill later worked at the Pike Company as Treasurer and finally decided to move forward with his dream of starting his own CPA firm. An opportunity arose to purchase the Depot Building in Canandaigua, and Walsh and Co., CPA's was born.
While studying for his master's degree at Syracuse University, he was asked to teach as an adjunct professor in the Accounting Department, and the rest is history. Bill sold his practice in Canandaigua and became a full-time professor in the Lubin School of Accounting, becoming Director. He held a position on the boards of the Syracuse University Tax Institute and the Alibrandi Catholic Center at Syracuse University. Bill was named Outstanding Professor in 2000 for the Accounting Department and was recognized by Beta Gamma Sigma as the Martin J. Whitman School of Management Faculty Member of the Year in 2002 and 2005. He was also the recipient of the Whitman School of Management's Oberwager Prize, established to honor faculty who have positively influenced students outside the classroom. Bill was awarded the prestigious Whitman Teaching Fellowship for 2004-2005. In May 2018, he was named Professor Emeritus.
While Bill was proud of his career accomplishments, he had a passion for many things, including skiing, daily lap swimming, golf and the Syracuse Orange. He was a 40-year member of the County Club of Rochester and the Canandaigua County Club. Bill served on the boards of Chase Bank and FF Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua. Most of all, Bill loved people and was endlessly proud of his daughters and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his energy, fun loving sense of humor and good spirit. Bill would light up a room with his smile and piercing blue eyes.
The family will be eternally grateful to the Jewish Home and the many Doctors, Nurses and Aides who looked after Bill with such loving and tender care.
A private memorial mass for family only, was held for Bill at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Brighton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alibrandi Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place, Syracuse, NY 13210 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Arrangements are by Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., Canandaigua. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.