William Walsh

Branford - William M. (Bill) Walsh, of Stony Creek, and formerly of Port Orange, Fla., passed into the hands of the Lord for eternal rest on Jan. 5, 2006 surrounded by family and friends at Yale New Haven Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Cinda Cash Walsh; two sisters, Kathleen McGuire (the late Dr. Roland McGuire) of New London and Maureen Jeffries (Ephraim) of Port Orange, Fla.; his sons, William Walsh Jr. (Tammy) of Carlsbad, Calif., and Michael Walsh (Belinda) of West Palm Beach, Fla.; step-children, Brian Cash, of New Haven, Lauren Cash, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Wilson Cash, of Branford; grandsons, Patrick Walsh, Andrew Walsh, and Sean Walsh; two step grandchildren, Mason and Kyra Cash; and five great-grandchildren, along with many cherished nieces and nephews.

Mr. Walsh was born and raised in New Bedford, Mass., where be graduated from Holy Family High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduated from Seton Hall University.

Mr. Walsh began his career as a union organizer in Metuchen, N.J. In Connecticut, he worked for Legacy, Inc., and the Mental Health Association of Eastern Connecticut. His life long employment and the center of his life, however, was his position as executive director and president of Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SCADD) for almost 40 years. Mr. Walsh was a pioneer in developing private non profit community based substance abuse programs in Connecticut. He opened the first halfway house for women and the first men's long term care program. During his tenure as CEO/president, SCADD became the primary provider of alcohol and drug services in Southeastern Connecticut, opening a detoxification program, a women's halfway house, two men's halfway houses, a long term care program known as Lebanon Pines, and out-patient and prevention programs giving thousands of individuals an opportunity for a substance free life. Many who received SCADD's services have successfully achieved long term sobriety and have become valued citizens in their communities.

Bill was a proud Friend of Bill W. for forty years. His legacy is one of commitment, respect and dignity for individuals suffering from alcoholism and other addictions.

There will be a Memorial Mass on January 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Montauk Avenue, at the corner of Squire Street, New London and a 2 p.m. Memorial Service at Lebanon Pines, followed by a reception.

Donations may be made in his memory to SCADD, 37 Camp Moween Road, Lebanon, CT 06249.