Joseph Michael Walsh

Joseph Michael Walsh of Scranton passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Feb. 20. Joseph and his bride, Catherine Ruddy Walsh, would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and Joseph's 92nd birthday on Feb. 23.

Joseph was the son of the late James Patrick Walsh and Mary Loughney Walsh of West Scranton. He was a graduate of West Scranton High School and served in the United States Army. Known to everyone as "Joe," he would always be joking that he could have been a Hollywood Star due to his good looks. After marrying the love of his life, Joe and Catherine made a brief move to New Jersey. Being a huge family man, they moved back to his beloved city of Scranton to raise their children. Joe was proud of his Irish heritage and was a lifelong fan of the University of Notre Dame. Prior to his retirement, Joe worked as a machinist at McKinney Products in Moosic, Pa. After his retirement, he received an honorary degree from Marywood University where he attended every class and lecture as an aide to his youngest son, Robert Walsh. A devout Catholic, he attended Mass at Divine Mercy in Minooka prior to his condition worsening.

Joe was a proud, religious, humble and quiet man. St. Joseph's Center always held a special place in his heart as he and his wife adopted their youngest son from this wonderful organization and watched their family grow. Joe and his wife were recognized several years ago for their humanitarian efforts in the best way for an Irish Scrantonian at the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Joe is survived by his sisters, Kathleen Hawley and Mary Riccardo; his children, Gerard J. and Rose Walsh, Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Thomas J. and Maria Walsh, Archbald; Cathy and John Giumento, Scranton; James P. and Lisa Walsh, Dunmore; and Robert Walsh, at home.

He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Ryan Schnall, Roxanne Kovalchick, Shawnna Donvito, Taryn Giumento, Gerard Walsh II, Christina Giumento, James Walsh, Kelly Walsh and Trisha Gilla; also, his great-grandchildren, Natalie, Jacob, Luke, Anthony and Daniel.

Special thanks to his loving caregiver, Lisa Healey.

Joe was preceded in death by his infant son, Joseph M.; his brothers, John and James P. Walsh; his sister, Ann Marie Quinn; and granddaughters, Kristen R. Giumento and Tara R. Walsh.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Michael Rogan for his care and compassion to Joe over the years. They also would like to especially thank Dr. P. Cognetti, Dr. D. Ciaglia, Dr. H. Yeager, all the caring staff of Advanced Home Health to each of them for their years of commitment, PA, Jennifer at Hematology/Oncology. (Joe said every single week that he never met a kinder person and looked forward to his appointments with her).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at noon in Divine Mercy Parish, Davis Street. Friends may call from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the Eagen-Hughes Funeral Home, 2908 Birney Ave., Scranton. Interment will be at a later date at St. Patrick's Cemetery.

It's the family's request in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Joseph's Center in Joseph Walsh's name.

COVID-19 regulations are to be followed. Please wear a mask if attending.