Donald P. Walsh

6/26/1935 - 1/24/2025

Mystic - Donald P. Walsh, 89, of Mystic, passed away peacefully at home in the morning hours of Jan. 24, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Don will always be remembered for his constant optimism, humor, and the genuine care and kindness he showed to others, even strangers.

Don was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., June 26, 1935, the eldest child of the late Patrick Walsh and Veronica (Current) Smith. Don grew up blocks from Ebbets Field and spent many childhood days watching his iconic Brooklyn Dodgers. He moved with his family to Ronkonkoma, a small town on Long Island, where he attended high school before joining the U.S. Air Force. Don served during the Korean War as a maintenance electrician, specializing in heavy radio equipment repair, from 1952 until receiving an honorable discharge in 1956. Don carried the pride of his service with him for the rest of his life.

At a Christmas party in 1956, Don met a young woman named Margaret Valentino and asked her to dance. Marge was the love of Don's life. They married April 20, 1958, and settled in Lake Grove, N.Y., where they raised their two children before relocating to Old Lyme in 1983. Together, they were loving parents and grandparents, and talented dancers who never truly stopped dancing. To the very end, Don fought illness so that he could dance with Marge.

Don worked hard throughout a long career as an electrical construction superintendent, which brought him to jobs across the country, from power generating stations in Colorado, to the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel in New York. He loved his work – he retired and unretired on occasion – and kept his electrical contractor's license current so he could always lend a hand to anyone who needed help with an electrical problem.

Don picked up skiing one winter day at the Bald Hill Ski Bowl on Long Island and was hooked. He passed this passion down to his family. Some of his greatest joys came from skiing with his two children and two grandchildren at Mount Snow, Vermont. Don also enjoyed many summer trips hiking Mount Katahdin in Millinocket, Maine, and making countless memories with his grandchildren on vacations to Disney World.

For those who knew Don, all share the same sentiment. Don was a caring man who took immediate interest in getting to know you, finding commonality, and building a connection. Don became fast friends with people he met in his communities in New York, Connecticut, Florida, and most recently at his home with Marge at StoneRidge. He loved to share stories and laughs, and, to those lucky enough, history books and jazz records. Don had a soft spot in his heart for animals and particularly loved playing tug-of-war with his many granddogs.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Marge; sister Toni Steigerwald and her husband Richard of Aquebogue, N.Y.; son Glenn Walsh and wife Janet of Waterford; daughter Linda Walsh and husband David Dillon of Sunderland, Vt.; grandsons, Sean Walsh and wife Laura of Mystic, and Eric Walsh and wife Roma of Silver Spring, Md. Don also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Don was predeceased by his brother Bruce Walsh of Ohio; and sister Patricia Hall of Florida.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jason Haldas and the staff at the Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center in Waterford, as well as the staff at StoneRidge in Mystic, for their compassionate care.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at StoneRidge Senior Living Community, 186 Jerry Browne Road, Mystic. Donations in Don's memory may be made to All Paws on Deck at allpawsondeck.org.